Agenda item

To note progress, support planned work across agencies and to agree the arrangements for reporting progress on the implementation of the Concordat to the Health and Wellbeing Board

(1)       The Chairman welcomed Dave Holman (Head of Mental Health Commissioning), DS Ann Lisseman, (Head of Criminal Justice Department, Strategic Partnerships Command - Kent Police), Penny Southern (Director of Disabled Children, Adults Learning Disability and Mental Health - KCC), Tim Woodhouse (Public Health Programme Manager - KCC), Malcolm McFrederick (Director of Operations – Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust), Inspector Wayne Goodwin (Kent Police), Debbie Wade (Kent Police) and Sue Scamell (Mental Health Commissioning Manager - KCC) and invited them to give a presentation.  A copy of the presentation is available on-line as an appendix to these minutes. 

(2)       In response to questions and comments the presenters gave the following further information.

(a)       One of the keys to reducing the number of detentions under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 was communication with and training for police officers as well as having systems in place with partners.

(b)       The Concordat was aiming for a consistent approach to crisis care while simultaneously recognising local needs and priorities.  For example, West Kent had commissioned a Crisis Café in response to local need and the local community safety partnership had considered the Concordat.

(c)        Work was underway to bring services for the treatment and management of Personality Disorders together with  a view to  reducing the number of detentions under Section 136, the numbers presenting at A&E and the numbers repeatedly phoning 111 as well providing appropriate and timely interventions to those in need.

(d)       A mental health nurse was on duty in the Kent Police Control Room to give advice to officers on the ground. It was anticipated that in the future nurses and unmarked ambulances would be deployed to ensure individuals received appropriate health assessment and service.

(e)       All front line police officers received mandatory training in dealing with people with mental health issues annually.

(f)        Using a reduction in the Section 136 detentions was a crude measure and it was intended to develop and refine the indicators within the Concordat as data improved.

(g)       Service users had requested a single point of contact.

(h)       In response to a comment about the need for regular updates and specific data on improvements to and development of services, Mr Holman said the development of mental health services to avoid crisis and aid recovery was seen as an incremental process.  The Concordat provided strategic direction and a mandate to work through specific issues resulting in specific outcomes.

(i)         An action plan for every Crisis Concordat nationally was available on the Crisis Concordat website and the action plan for Kent was currently being refined.

(4)       Resolved that:

(a)       The work of the Kent and Medway Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat be supported;

(b)       The governance framework of the Concordat group reporting progress annually to the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board be agreed;

(c)        A report tracking the progress and impact of the Concordat be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board within the next 6-9 months;

(d)       Outcome 4 – People with Mental Health are supported to live well – of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be reviewed.