Agenda item

(To receive a report from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which advises the Committee of the outcome of the mental health rehabilitation consultation to permanently close Ashley House in Grantham and extend the community rehabilitation service to a countywide model.  Chris Higgins, Director of Operations Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Pete Burnett, Director of Strategic Planning, Integration and Partnerships, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, will be in attendance for this item) 

Consideration was given to a report from the Lincolnshire NHS Partnership Trust (LPFT) and the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which provided an update on the outcome of the Consultation on Local Mental Health Rehabilitation Services (Ashely House in Grantham).

The Chairman invited the following representatives to remotely, present the item to the Committee: Chris Higgins, Director of Operations, LPFT and Pete Burnett, Director of Strategic Planning, Integration and Partnerships, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.

The Committee were reminded that in February 2023, as part of its response to the consultation, had accepted the arguments in support of the community rehabilitation model and the permanent closure of Ashley House.  It was also noted that the Committee had commented on the importance of continuing to monitor the level of need for inpatient services; but wanted to be advised of any plans as to the future use of the Ashley House premises.

Attached to the report, were the following Appendices for the Committee’s consideration:

·       Appendix A – Copy of the consultation document previously presented to the Health Scrutiny Committee on 18 January 2023;

·       Appendix B – A summary of Consultation Activity and Findings;

·       Appendix C – Patient, Carer and Public Concerns Raised and Actions Being Taken;

·       Appendix D – Staff Concerns and Actions Being Taken; and 

·       Appendix E – East Midlands Clinical Senate Recommendations and Action Being Taken.

During consideration of this item, the following comments were noted:

·       Clarification was given that prior to its closure, the unit cared for patients with severe and enduring mental illness who would have been likely to have had significant periods in hospital to help manage their symptoms.  It was noted that the unit had provided additional rehabilitation support in the patient’s recovery before moving back into their community to live.  It was noted that patients requiring dependency rehabilitation were now being treated at Maple Lodge in Boston, or by the community rehabilitation service;

·       Confirmation was given that there was enough provision to support levels of demand;

·       Support was extended to the Community rehabilitation service;

·       Reassurance was provided that out of hours provision was catered for in the community rehabilitation service; and

·       Confirmation was given that a low number of staff had responded to the consultation.  It was however noted that in response to some of the feedback received during the consultation, the Trust would be discussing the matter further with all staff that had previously worked at the unit.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

1.      That the outcome of the mental health rehabilitation consultation, conducted between 16 January 2023 and 31 March 2023 be noted.

2.      That the decision by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, with support from NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board to permanently close Ashley House in Grantham and extend the Community rehabilitation service to a countywide model be noted.

3.      That an update be requested in one year’s time on the implementation of the community rehabilitation service model, including monitoring of out of area placements and any data on projected future need for inpatient beds.

4.      That any proposals for the future use of the Ashley House premises be shared with the Committee.  

Note: Councillor Welberry left the meeting at 11:50am.