Agenda item

Preventative Mental Health Review and Recommissioning Update

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services that gave an update on the future plans for community preventative mental health services in County Durham, first reported to Overview and Scrutiny in November 2016 (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

The Strategic Commissioning Manager for Mental Health and the Commissioning Policy & Planning Officer give details of the new countywide mental health, promotion, prevention and wellbeing model. The key elements of the model were highlighted as:-

           A life course approach defined as ‘Starting Well’, ‘Developing Well’, ‘Living Well’, ‘Working Well’ and ‘Ageing Well’ .

           Outcomes related to promotion, prevention, early intervention and recovery, including the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

           Improved access through the Well Being for Life service (for adults) and One Point service (for children and families) and outreach into community buildings, complemented by signposting and navigation along pathways to other services.

 

Members were informed that there would be better access online with self help material available and which places to go to would be highlighted.  The no wrong door approach would be embedded across all services so that staff could direct people to the right place for the right service.

 

In relation to the current contract the Committee were informed that money had been ring fenced for Mental health Services and was protected to some degree however there was no guarantee that this could be sustained.

 

Work was ongoing to improve access to CAMHS and the crisis element for suicide prevention had improved to ensure that people received the right support.

 

The Committee were informed that regular progress reporting would go through the Metal Health Partnership Board and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

Councillor Reed referred to alcohol services and that there did not appear to be any support for people from the Crisis Services to achieve an overall outcome and no support beyond the initial help.  The Strategic Commissioning Manager advised that the substance misuse service was being re-tendered at present and that temporary arrangements were in place.  He said that the service provided support across the County and that they work closely with the Mental Health Service.

 

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer went on to advise that a report had been to cabinet on the Drug and Alcohol Service and that a seminar was arranged for all members.  He went on to inform members that the Safer and Stronger OSC played an active role in the monitoring of the pre-existing services and the work undertaken to look at the new model.  The integral element of mental health would be looked at by this committee.

 

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report and the implementation plan for the new mental health promotion, prevention and wellbeing model be noted.

(ii)          That a further report during 2018 outlining progress and key implementation stages be received.

 

Supporting documents: