Agenda item

Ms H Jones, Head of Strategic Commissioning, Mr I Darbyshire, NHS Commissioning Manager, and Ms S Mullin, KCC Commissioning Manager for Emotional Wellbeing Services, were in attendance for this item.

1.         Ms Jones and Mr Darbyshire introduced the report and set out key advances since last reporting to the Committee and work which is currently going on. They and Ms Mullin responded to comments and questions from Members and the following points were highlighted:-

a)         a Member referred to a GP practice in his local area which has  experienced severe problems with waiting times. Having to wait a long time for a CAMHS appointment leads to further problems for a young person.  He said that he hoped to see an improvement in waiting times very soon; 

b)         another Member supported this point and commented that the CAMHS service, in its current state, would let down the County Council in an inspection;

c)         to what extent do staff shortages cause or contribute to long waits? Mr Darbyshire responded that some staff shortages in West Kent have led to a backlog of cases. He undertook to give the questioner more detail of staffing levels outside the meeting;

d)         what can be done to prevent a backlog recurring? Mr Darbyshire responded that more young people are now seen at the ‘front end’ of the service and so have no need to wait.  The way in which the service is delivered has also changed and the process improved.  Ms Mullin added that the staffing structure was previously rather ‘top-heavy’ so has been reviewed to provide more staff at the level at which assessments are undertaken.  Offering appointments at evenings and weekends has also helped to reduce the backlog. Ms Jones added that close partnership working and regular fortnightly meetings help to provide coherent data and address issues;

e)         what is the waiting time between assessment and treatment? Mr Darbyshire responded that data systems will be in place shortly which can provide this information to a future meeting of the Committee;

f)          how was the CAMHS service provided before the current provider was engaged? Mr Darbyshire responded that, across Kent, CAMHS had previously been provided by six different providers.  Ms Jones added that, up to two years ago, there had been no strategic commissioning and no monitoring.  There is now a complete strategy with close partnership working and monitoring; and

g)         are staff moved around to address shortfalls  in particular areas?  Mr Darbyshire responded that staff have indeed been moving from East to West Kent to address demand. East Kent has shorter waiting times but has a few other issues, eg in helping young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  CAMHS is a finite resource and must ensure that it targets the most needy young people.

2.         The Cabinet Member, Mrs Whittle, added that it is important for the Committee to receive regular monitoring reports. A great amount of work has been done to move the service on from its previously uncoordinated state.  Kent has made good investment in its CAMHS services compared to other local authorities, but needs to ensure it deploys services well to address the backlog and the issues which have been identified.  A quarterly update report to this Committee would be a good idea.

3.         RESOLVED that:-

a)         the information set out in the report and given in response to comments and questions be noted, with thanks; and

b)         a quarterly update report be made to this Committee. Members expressed their expectation that significant reductions in waiting times will be shown in future reports.

.