Agenda item

(To receive a report from Jane Marshall, Director of Strategy, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides the Committee with some of the response and impact of Covid-19 for patients served by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)

The Chairman invited Jane Marshall, Director of Strategy, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Deborah Hussey, Quality Improvement and Assurance Lead for Specialist Services, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to present the report.  The report was detailed on pages 17 to 23 of the report pack.

The Committee was advised that some examples of service changes in respond to the pandemic were shown on pages 18 and 19 of the report pack.  It was highlighted that services had been adapted to ensure that the organisation remained responsive to its patients, whilst respecting the restrictions in place.

It was reported that levels of patients being referred to the services had reduced during the lockdown period, but the number of people being seen by LPFT services had remained the same. Details of activity and performance statistics were provided on page 20 of the report pack.  It was highlighted that the number of people being seen by digital and telephone contacts had increased, as the model of delivery changed during the crisis.

In conclusion, it was highlighted that the Trust had adapted its service delivery to meet patient needs during lockdown; ensured that key delivery targets were met; established staff well-being support, which included the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) workforce; set up recovery and restoration processes to move to the 'new normal' way of working; and the completion of a questionnaire to gauge staff and patient experiences of working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

·               The effect of the pandemic on the service – The Committee was advised that modelling had suggested that the effects of the pandemic on mental health would be seen for up to ten years.  The Committee noted that a recovery plan was being developed for Lincolnshire, which included a universal offer of support relating to emotional wellbeing.  The Committee was advised that plans were in place and work was in progress; and that by working together with other organisations the Trust would through its restoration process be looking at different ways of spotting early signs of need and then providing services earlier.  The Committee was advised that an update on the offer could be considered by the Committee at a future meeting;

·               The effect of social distancing on the service – The Committee was advised that ten acute adult mental health beds had been taken out of wards to ensure compliance with social distancing;

·               It was highlighted that page 19 of the report pack made reference to a 'mothballed inpatient unit', which was currently being explored as a temporary unit.  The Committee was advised that this referred to Ash Villa during Covid-19 being used as a possible temporary accommodation unit; and

·           Support for staff – The Committee was reassured that all steps were being taken to provide support to staff, which included testing; additional psychological support services to provide staff with emotional support; more support for staff experiencing domestic abuse; and a special programme of work, led by the Medical Director, to support the BAME workforce.    

RESOLVED

1.      That the Committee's gratitude be recorded to all staff at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on its response to Covid-19.

2.      That a report concerning the 'Universal Offer' be considered by the Committee at a future meeting.