Agenda and minutes

Members were informed that Bryan Sweetland had stood down from the Committee and had been replaced by Diane Morton.

Diane Morton had sent her apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

1.    The Clerk of the Committee explained that at the last meeting under item 7 “Provision of mental health services – St Martins Hospital”, Karen Benbow had agreed to circulate a written update about the Thanet Safe Haven to Members of the Committee. This had been received and would be circulated to Members after the meeting and be attached to the minutes from this meeting.

2.    It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were a correct record and they be signed by the Chair.

Karen Benbow, Director of System Commissioning, Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (KM CCG), Andy Oldfield, Deputy Director Mental Health and Dementia Commissioning (KM CCG), Vincent Badu, Deputy Chief Executive/ Executive Director Partnerships & Strategy, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), and Dr Rosarii Harte, Deputy Medical Director (KMPT), were in attendance for this item.

1.         The Chair welcomed the Committee’s guests from the NHS, who proceeded to provide an overview. The report in the Agenda updated the Committee on the way the Trust had managed the Covid pressures, outlined the transformation programme in the context of significant financial investment, and provided a summary of changes to St. Martin’s.

2.         Members were also informed that the move from Cranmer Ward to Heather Ward had been timely as it was a better environment for infection control. The biggest pressure of Covid was on outreach and community services rather than inpatient beds. Demands on the inpatient bed stock had been managed so that a ward was able to be made available for Medway Foundation Trust.

3.         It was reported that the Covid pandemic had impacted some groups more than others, with an increase in dementia presentations, and a greater impact on children and adolescents, those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as those with co-morbidities. There had also been an increase in domestic violence. While there were always times of extreme pressure, placements had always been found and there had been no need to go out of the County. In response to a specific case raised, it was explained that there were other barriers to accessing services than simply the availability of beds.

4.         One of the main areas of discussion with the Committee was on financing. It was explained that the £51m available came from different funding streams. £12.6m had been ringfenced for estates; money for capital investment came with a timetable. The health economy had to attain the Mental Health Investment Standard, and this meant an increase in the resource directed to this area.

5.         The local work formed part of a national programme where community mental health was a priority under the mental health long term plan. NHS colleagues described it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to shift from a situation where patients were steered to align with services to one where care pathways were built around the patient. There was an oversight group which had the involvement of Kent and Medway Councils as well as third sector and voluntary groups. There were patient engagement activities across all four Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) areas.

6.         Clarity was provided that the bed number of 246 referred to in the report took into account the temporary reduction of 15. It was also explained that Member comments on the use of the word temporary had been taken on board, and that legal advice had been sought and that it was down to local discretion.

7.         Bed use had been analysed by the NHS. Some individuals had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

1.    The Chair introduced the item and explained this was a written update and that if any Members had questions arising from it, then these could be passed on to the Clerk of the Committee who would liaise with the NHS for answers to be reported in the future.

2.    The Chair explained that he would like to know whether assurance had been received from NHS England about the £400m of funding, and if not, whether the Committee could offer any assistance in securing this. In addition, the Chair requested clarity on the viability of the Quinn Estates proposal and said that a bond would be required to eliminate any future viability issues from the developer.

3.    AGREED that the Committee note the update.

1.    The Chair introduced the item and explained this was a written update and that if any Members had questions arising from it, then these could be passed on to the Clerk of the Committee who would liaise with the NHS for answers in the future.

2.    AGREED that the Committee note the update.