Minutes:
Mental Health Awareness Week - It was noted that this had taken place 15-21 May, the focus this year was on anxiety. Residents were encouraged to think of simple steps they could take to improve their mental health and to recognise where intense anxiety is impacting daily life and when to seek support. Mrs Bell then gave details of services and advice available countywide. Kent and Medway authorities, health services and community groups were coming together to remind residents of locally based support available. Live Well Kent and Medway were a network of voluntary groups and charities offering free mental health support and guidance for young people and adults. Better Health Every Mind Matters website offered advice on stress, anxiety, low mood, and sleep issues. One You Kent, a free local healthy lifestyle service, helps residents set realistic fitness goals and stay motivated. Counselling services were available for a range of concerns through Release the Pressure. It was noted that further information and links to these services were available on the Kent County Council Website and promoted on the Council's social media channels. Please find links to the services below:
(b) Detling Showground Dementia Event - Mrs Bell said that on 19 May, there was a free event at the Detling Showground showcasing the support available for those living with or caring for those with dementia. The event would be organised by members of the Kent Dementia Action Alliance which includes KMPT, KCC and NHS Kent & Medway. Voluntary organisations would be in attendance with information available. People would be able to meet with experts and professionals and connect with local dementia support services. As well as learn about new research and take part in activities. In the afternoon the Kent dementia friendly awards would take place to recognise individuals and organisations that benefit the lives of those with dementia. The event would be attended by Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough and Minister of State for Social Care, and local Kent MP, Helen Whately.
(c) Health Watch Recognition Awards - Mrs Bell noted that she had attended the awards on 29 March 2023, where Kent County Council had won 4 awards. The Council’s Public Health directorate had won two of the awards. The first was for Kent and Medway’s Listens, a large engagement project that engaged with numerous residents and the findings from which would help inform the interim Integrated Care Strategy. The second award was for their commitment to be involved with and listen to those with lived experiences of suicide. This has further developed the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Network and strengthened the support it offers. It was noted that the Adult Social Care directorate had won two awards for work on the People’s Panel and the Technology Enabled Care Service.
(d) Mrs Bell mentioned another award that was given to the Hypertension Heroes -Mrs Bell said Medway Public Health and NHS Kent and Medway had been recognised for their outreach work to those who would not normally go to a GP to check blood pressure made possible by a group of volunteers working in the community called ‘hypertension heroes’. 830 individuals had been encouraged to get their blood pressure checked, 2/3 from the most deprived areas of Kent and Medway and 50% self-described as from non-white backgrounds, 206 had high or very high blood pressure.
(a) The Chair noted that he and Mr Meade were available as Kent’s Mental Health Champions to go into the community and raise awareness.
(b) Concerns were raised that the County Showground in Detling was not the most accessible of locations and queried if any arrangements could be considered to improve ease of access. Mrs Bell noted the concern.
(a) Mental Health Statistics – Dr Ghosh noted that 1 in 6 adults in England and Kent had a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression. Those 16-29 years old were 28% more likely to have some form of anxiety. Women reported higher rates of anxiety than men, 37.1% of women and 30% of men.
(b) Covid-19 Update – Dr Ghosh said that the rates of Covid-19 were at the lowest levels recorded since the start of the pandemic. All indicators nationally are falling and the rate per 100,000 in Kent was lower than the rate for the South-East, at 17 per 100,000, which equated to an average of 20 daily reported cases. Dr Ghosh noted that despite this a close watch was still needed as there were increases in case numbers seen in the West Pacific. It was said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had downgraded covid-19 pandemic from being a global public health emergency. Dr Ghosh said that the vaccine rollout had been key to the current situation and noted that spring booster appoints were ongoing until June and available for those 75 and over, those in care homes including staff and those 5 and over with weakened immune systems.
(c) Public Health Services update
(a) Asked about Covid-19 variant XBB1.16 and if there had been any detection in Kent or other control measures put in place. Dr Ghosh said variants were becoming less server but more transmissible, as part of the natural selection process. Dr Ghosh confirmed that variant XBB1.16 had been recorded in the United Kingdom and in Kent but there was less data on this available than in the past. National surveillance and local triangulation procedures were ongoing and if there were any changes to severity additional measures would be put in place.
(b) Dr Ghosh said he was aware of the issue of nitrous oxide abuse and would bring further information on this issue back to the committee.
(c) Asked about the effects of long covid on absenteeism from employment and in schools, numbers increasing. Dr Ghosh noted that long covid and its effects were of ongoing concern and research was being conducted. It was confirmed that long covid was a recognised condition but there was a challenge as a definition had yet to be found, due to a broad range of symptoms and complications. Dr Ghosh said that a previous paper on long covid may be reviewed and updated. Dr Ghosh and the Chair noted that in a paper on covid-19 and its impact on mental health, especially amongst younger age cohorts, anxiety to return to school or the workplace may be responsible for absenteeism.
(d) On data sharing Dr Ghosh said the Kent and Medway Care Record, a combined record of Adult Social Care and NHS, and considerable amounts of information was held by district councils. It was noted the importance of complying with information governance regulations, the due diligence process with the safety of sharing data and getting consent from individuals to share their data. Attempts were made to speed up the process but would take time.
(e) Asked about male mental health and the challenge of engaging with those men who do not reach out for help and support. Dr Ghosh said there was a challenge with men not seeking support early enough with most conditions and ailments. Due to this, there was a specific focus on men, unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking were affected by wider determinants of health like employment, housing and other environmental impacts. Due to this, it was complicated but active programmes were underway within communities.