The Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing will submit Document “AE” which provides an update on Adult Community Mental Health Services and current developments.

Recommended –

That the reported position for Community Mental Health Services including the developments outlined in Document “AE” be noted.

(Mark Trewin /Simon Long – 01274 431526/228300)

The Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing submitted Document “AE” which provided an update on Adult Community Mental Health Services and current developments.

Following a summary of the report, Members made the following comments:

·         Congratulated Councillor Fozia Shaheen on her new role as Mental Health Champion and encouraged her to incorporate in her role the smooth transition of children from primary to secondary school to help reduce their anxieties.

·         Welcomed the development of perinatal mental health services.

·         Encouraged the authority and Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust to employ more service users.

A Member spoke of the need for a dedicated free phone number available 24/7 and stated that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service received calls from people who had got to a crisis stage as there was no-one else they felt they could call.  In response it was stated that a phone number was available but it was not free (local charges applied).  The First Response service was also highlighted which offered support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven experiencing a mental health crisis; it took approximately 6,000 calls a month.  There was also a telephone support helpline set up at Mind in Bradford.

The following information was given in response to Members’ questions:

·         There was a dedicated nurse in the Police Control Room to assist in diverting people with a mental health issue away from the criminal justice system and into a more appropriate and caring environment.

·         Haven was a partnership between The Cellar Trust as a local mental health charity, the Bradford District NHS Foundation Care Trust and the local authority. It was established to provide an alternative to A&E for people who were in mental distress and needed support.

·         Training had been undertaken with Police Officers about taking people to the most appropriate place e.g. Haven.

·         There were mental health nurses who were part of the West Yorkshire Vanguard who were based in the A&E department.

·         The public chose how they contacted services and it was important to be able to direct them to the most appropriate service quickly.

·         The drug and alcohol misuse services had two parts to it; one had gone out to tender and the other (dual diagnosis) was a service being retained by the Care Trust. 

·         Contrary to reports in the local media, there were no reductions in staffing within the local authority in relation to community mental health services due to budget cuts.

In response to a Member’s question relating to help for people suffering with post natal depression, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing spoke of Early Help hubs that would deliver this service.  She also highlighted work that was taking place to reduce duplication and overlapping of duties of health visitors and school nurses which would also strengthen children’s safeguarding.  She highlighted the creation of multi-disciplinary teams to avoid duplication of services.

A Member queried waiting lists for mental health services.  It was reported that there were no waiting lists kept for adult mental health services covering adults 18-65 years of age, which Document “AE” referred to; any waiting lists in relation to Children’s Services would be investigated and discussed with the Member after the meeting.

Members were reminded that a joint informal sub-group meeting, with the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to consider children and young people’s mental health was scheduled for 27 March 2017.

Resolved –

That the reported position for Community Mental Health Services including the developments outlined in Document “AE” be noted.

NO ACTION