Agenda item

In attendance for this item: Adam Wickings (Deputy Managing Director, West Kent CCG), and Michelle Snook (Integrated Transformation Manager for Neurodevelopmental Conditions, for and on behalf of Kent CCGs, Strategic Commissioning, KCC)

1)    The Chair welcomed the guests and asked them to provide some background to the procurement of the Kent and Medway Neurodevelopmental (ND) Health Service for Adults. The service would provide assessment and post-diagnostic support for people living with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The service would not be for those individuals with a co-morbidity such as a learning disability, as there was already a clear pathway in place for that service.

2)    Mr Wickings explained that the service user pathway would remain the same, but that the commissioning of the service, which was currently fragmented across Kent and Medway, would be brought under one contract. Currently, CCGs in East Kent commissioned a service through South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM), whereas CCGs in West Kent and Medway used spot purchasing arrangements with two providers.

3)    Steve Inett from Healthwatch Kent corroborated the inconsistency of service provision across Kent and Medway, along with a lack of knowledge around what support was available.

4)    The benefits of a new overarching contract would be:

a.    Consistent quality of service across Kent and Medway;

b.    Equal access for all residents;

c.    Allows for better integrated working between health and social care;

d.    Improvement of the pathway for service users.

5)    The contract would apply to those aged 18+, though those aged 17.5 would be considered if appropriate. A longer-term project considering an all-age pathway was underway.

6)    It was hoped that the new contract would be formalised within 4 – 6 months. Due to the limited number of providers in the market, it would be very important to maintain current relationships whilst building any new partnerships.

7)    In answer to a question about training for professionals, Ms Snook confirmed that the Government had announced late in 2019 the introduction of mandatory training in learning disability and autism for all health and social care staff, relevant to their role. Skills for Care had also developed a framework for relevant staff. Members felt it was important that the Kent Medical School played a role in training, which Mr Wickings supported once the university was fully established.

8)    There was currently a waiting list for services. The guidelines were for a wait of three months from the point of referral. In some cases, individuals were waiting up to two years. Mr Wickings confirmed that the CCGs had invested additional money in order to clear any backlog, which they hoped to do within 6 – 12 months.

9)    Ms Snook explained that a Single Point of Access (SPoA) would be the method by which professionals including GPs referred individuals to the service. It was intended for this to be easy to use and its design would be worked through with the provider(s).

10) The Chair thanked the guests for their update.

11) RESOLVED that

a.    the Committee does not deem the procurement of the Neurodevelopmental (ND) Health Service for Adults to be a substantial variation of service.

b.    Kent and Medway CCGs be invited to submit a report to the Committee at the appropriate time.