Agenda item

Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership: Mental Health Priority

(The Health Scrutiny Committee is focusing on four of the seven priorities being delivered as part of the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).  One of the four selected priorities is mental health and this item is focusing on recent progress and strategic activity in for the delivery of Mental Services in Lincolnshire, as part of the Lincolnshire STP.  Representatives from both commissioners and the main provider, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, are due to attend)

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report from the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provided information relating to recent progress and strategic activity in relation to the NHS direction for delivery of Mental Health Services in Lincolnshire.

 

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting John Brewin, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire NHS Partnership Trust, Ian Jerams, Director of Operations, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Andrew Rix, Chief Operating Officer South Lincolnshire CCG and Rachel Redgrave, Head of Commissioning for Mental Health, Autism and Learning Disability, South West Lincolnshire CCG.

 

The Chief Executive, Lincolnshire NHS Partnership Trust in his introduction advised the Committee that Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) was the specialist, regulated NHS Mental Health Care Provider for Lincolnshire, providing a range of mental health crisis, inpatient and community services over a range of services in over 56 locations in Lincolnshire to over 65,000 patients per year. 

 

Paragraph 2 of the report listed provided a list of successes to date that had been delivered/planned through the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership. 

 

Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with Lincolnshire's position against future Mental Health and Learning Disability Service ambitions for 2018/19.

 

It was highlighted that the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership was facing the challenge of finding investment for the purposes of nationally directed mental health development and transformation of new services, within a Lincolnshire health system with a collective forecast deficit of circa £110m.  A further additional pressure for LPFT funding was from regulators concerning the standard of mental health estate.  It was reported that the Care Quality Commission had recommended that the Trust work towards the replacement of inpatient facilities, which still offered dormitory bedroom accommodation.  It was noted that the cost of meeting this recommendation was estimated to be up to £30m.  It was noted further that capital monies had been spent on the introduction of the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, which had resulted in significant system financial savings as well as a quality benefit to patients, carers, and families.

 

It was reported that the current national profile of Mental Health and Learning Disability services was unparalleled, particularly with a recent Royal profile.  It was noted that the Lincolnshire system had a great opportunity to implement the proposals detailed in the report, and that recent NHS Planning Guidance for 2018/19 had re-emphasised the need for systems to ensure services were in place in the timescales described.

 

A discussion ensued, from which the following issues were raised:-

 

·         Some members indicated that they would like to see more detail than that contained in the report.  The Committee was urged to look at Appendix A which provided more information.  In response to an observation that limited detail had been included as to how services had improved and whether targets had been achieved.  It was noted that some services were new and performance information was still to be received;

·         Older Adult Transformation Plans at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston – The Committee was advised that this was still at a consultative stage;

·         Some questions were raised relating to Neighbourhood Teams, particularly in the Lincoln area.  It was noted that there needed to be a mental health component in Neighbourhood Teams; and that the progression of neighbourhood teams were at different rates in different areas within the county;

·         One member extended congratulations to the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for their decision to move from dormitory accommodation to individual rooms.  Reference was also made for the need for the crisis team to be strengthened to enable patients to receive care in the community;

·         Housing Accommodation for those in transition.  The Committee was advised that work was ongoing with District Councils regarding this matter.  Community support was an important area, as loneliness was a major contributory factor to mental health;

·         Page 87 - One member enquired as to whether the Trust had all the necessary staff to deliver mental health crisis and liaison services by 2021.  The Committee was advised that the Trust would have enough staff if they employed a further 24 FTE;

·         Page 88 – Increase employment support services by 100% - One member enquired whether there was any information relating to the cost of the system.  It was reported that at the moment there was no cost information;

·         One member suggested that more could be done with employers to take on more voluntary work experience individuals;

·         Problems encountered from 'legal highs' – The Committee was advised that the taking of drugs/consumption of alcohol had a massive impact on individuals with mental health issues.  It was highlighted that problems had increased since there had been a reduction in support in these areas; and

·         A question was asked as to how the proposals affected the STP.  The Committee was advised that there would be discussion with the community in relation to where the STP was going in due course.  The Committee was further advised that the STP fitted into a system approach for which CCGs had responsibility.

 

The Chairman extended his thanks on behalf of the Committee to the presenters from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the progress made in putting systems in place to deliver mental health services in Lincolnshire be received and that further update reports on the Mental Health priority within the STP be received at six monthly intervals.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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