Agenda item

To receive an update on delivery of the Board’s strategic objectives incorporating delivery of the Children and Young People’s Strategy and the Joint Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Working Age Adults and the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Strategy 2018 – 2023.

1. Children and Young People

The Board considered the information contained in the report in relation to the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Strategy 2016-21.

It was noted that the three strategic priorities are:

· Promoting Resilience, Prevention and Early Intervention;

· Improving Access to Support

· Services for High Risk and Vulnerable Groups

In relation to promoting resilience, prevention and early intervention there has been a focus on the schools agenda. In support of this a trailblazer application has been submitted to NHS England in relation to funding for Mental Health Support Teams in schools.

There was some discussion about the CAMHS service and it was acknowledged that there are pressures on the service and increased waiting times, particularly in relation to neurodevelopmental assessments. This is believed to be linked with increasing awareness of AHAD and Autism and an increase in numbers coming forward for assessment. There has been some additional investment by the CCG through the Helios team aimed at reducing wait times through the introduction of core CAMHS assessment and interventions using an online/Skype type model of delivery. It was noted that a peer review process was working with CAMHS to understand what can be done better and what other services could be provided to reduce the pressure on CAMHS. It was acknowledged that CAMHS may not always be the answer, but is often seen as the only service available to refer to. Members requested that an update report/presentation on CAMHS should be provided to the Board in 6 months time.

The Director of Public Health highlighted that the majority of young people do enjoy good mental health and well-being. But it is important to work hard across the system to support those who don’t, and developing capacity in schools is a big part of this. It was also highlighted that universal services are important, in addition to the commissioning of specialist services.

2. Working Age Adults

The Board considered the update on the Joint Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-21 Working Age Adults.

It was noted that this is a multi-agency strategy across the Local Authority and the NHS and is supported by partner agencies and organisations. The strategy highlights six achievements linked to the overarching objective of improving the mental health and emotional resilience of the working age population in North Tyneside.

The Board noted progress in relation to early intervention and prevention aimed at reducing the pressure on secondary mental health services.

The Board was interested to note that, as part of the recommendation from the Crisis review carried out by North Tyneside Healthwatch, the CCG has commissioned a new service called Together in a Crisis. This is a non-clinical response to people identified as being in crisis but who don’t meet the threshold for statutory crisis provision.

The Board noted the update in relation to suicide prevention, including the suicide prevention work being carried out across the Integrated Care System and noted that 440K of funding has been awarded by NHS England to support this work.

In relation to reducing mortality in people with serious mental illness, there was some discussion about the target for carrying out a comprehensive physical health check. The national target is 50% but is rising to 60% next year. North Tyneside is currently achieving 46.2% which is in the top 15% nationally but below the standard. CCG is developing a scheme to address this with primary care practitioners. It was suggested that a report should be provided to a future meeting to show progress in this area.

There was some discussion about the work to reduce the suicide rate in North Tyneside and the impact this has had. It was noted that numbers are small and fluctuate and often those at risk are not known to mental health services. Although trends are not increasing, they are also not decreasing, and the rate in North Tyneside remains above the national average. In relation to training in this area, officers agreed to look to facilitate something with the third sector in North Tyneside if this would be useful.

3. Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Strategy 2018-23

It was noted that the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Strategy is aimed at ensuring the needs of older people are properly considered and to improve mental health and dementia services and support for older people and carers.

It was noted that a new Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Board was set up in June 2018 to oversee the actions identified in the strategy. There had been some delay in establishing the Board, but members have now been identified and actions are underway to identify priorities and avoid any duplication with other areas of work.

There was a discussion about some of the areas of work that had been undertaken including consultation with residential and nursing homes, support to train staff in care homes so they are better able to deal with mental health issues, and the mental health transport service.

There was a discussion about ‘Dementia Friendly Communities’. It was suggested that developments in this area have not been maintained over the last year and more resources are needed. Members of the Board expressed their support for North Tyneside to be registered as a Dementia Friendly Community and it was suggested that a small group of officers should be convened to scope out this work and bring a report back to the next meeting.  

Age UK stated that they would like to be involved in this

group.

The Chair thanked officers for the comprehensive report.

Resolved that (1) the Board agreed progress to date and future work outlined in this report in respect of:

·    Children and Young People’s Strategy

·    Join Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

·    Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Strategy

(2) an update report on CAMHS should be presented to the Board in 6 months time;

(3) a report on progress against the target for carrying out physical health checks for those with a severe mental illness be presented to a future meeting of the Board; and

(4) North Tyneside should work towards being registered as a Dementia Friendly Community and that a report be brought back to the next meeting on this.