Agenda item

Mrs A McNab, Chief Executive of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), was in attendance for this item at the invitation of the Committee.

Mr S J G Koowaree declared an interest as a former employee and occasional casual employee of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.

1.         Ms Southern introduced the report and updated the Committee on developments since last reporting to the former Adult Social Care and Public Health POSC in February 2011, as well as planned activity for the next year.  Although there is much work still to be done, the KCC/KMPT partnership is in a good position to meet future changes. 

2.         Mrs McNab added that the Trust had been strengthened by its partnership with KCC.  The integration of Health and Social Care is high on its agenda and will meet its statutory requirement to work towards integration. The Trust’s progress towards achieving Foundation Trust status is on track within the original timescale.  Performance targets develop constantly, and meeting them is a constant challenge, but focus on quality of service to patients is always of paramount importance.  The Trust is ahead in developing the payment by results system, which is in shadow form this year.

3.         Ms Southern and Mrs McNab responded to comments and questions from Members, and the following points were highlighted:-

a)         disappointment was expressed that the report did not give more information about the quality of services delivered to patients.  A meeting of the Kent and Medway Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 July had emphasised the importance of focussing on the patient and had been sceptical of the KCC/KMPT partnership’s proposals.  Seeking change is good, but it should always be for the better, and in the best interests of the patient. Ms Southern responded that the quality of the patient experience is essential and is the main aim of the partnership working.  A report on the patient experience will be made to this Committee’s November meeting;

b)         an audit of children’s mental health care services had been due in June and was completed on time.  A draft report and findings were published on 11 July and will be closely studied. Any further work required will then be identified;

c)         there is still some social stigma around mental illness, and few people are in properly-planned care pathways.  More work is needed to address this. Mrs McNab explained that stigma had been reduced via a campaign, but there is more work to do and stigma is still attached to mental health issues. It can be difficult to recognise mental health issues and move people into care pathways, although the picture is improving.  Training is improving the awareness of mental health issues among A&E staff, and the establishment of the Psychiatric Liaison Service will help this; and

d)         it is good to see the progress which has been made in mental health services, as it was previously very difficult to get a social worker to attend a case meeting with mental health colleagues.  More GPs are now trained to identify mental health issues, which gives a good first point of contact.  Community Psychiatric Nurses being co-located in GPs’ surgeries also helps, but they must be properly trained and retained in this role for this to continue working.

4.         RESOLVED that the information set out in the report and given in response to comments and questions be noted, with thanks, and a further update report on the quality of the patient experience be considered at this Committee’s November meeting.