Agenda item

Louise Clack, Programme Director Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care, NHS Kent and Medway, and Rachel Bulman, Project Manager, CPC Project Services were in attendance for this item.

1. The Chair welcomed the guests and asked them to introduce themselves. A PowerPoint presentation showed images of the Maudsley Health Based Place of Safety site which had been requested by the Committee at the previous meeting. 
2. Previous scrutiny had led to questions around the transition from three sites to one and whether this lead to a single point of failure if an unforeseen event were to occur. Ms Clack said that the architects delivering the project had delivered other HBPoS build and were using that past experience. Each assessment room and bedroom could have its electricity and water supply isolated, the fabric of the building would be highly resistant, and they had incorporated learning from South London and Maudsley, particularly on their doors and door frames. Thorough consideration of a single point of failure had been given.  
3. A Member questioned what would happen if there was sudden pressure but only one site available. Ms Clack said that incidence of section 136 had decreased by 50% over the last 2 years due to the introduction of community crisis alternatives. She also noted that it was rare for the beds to all be in use at the same time. Despite the 50% reduction, there were no plans to reduce the capacity of the Health Based Places of Safety and the efficiencies generated by centralising the facilities would enable service users to have a shorter length of stay. The efficiencies achieved through centralising the service would also offer a better working environment for staff than under the current model, as they would not have to travel between sites, they would work as part of a larger team with better shift patterns and more opportunities for career progression.    
4. A Member raised concerns about the bland interior colour of the Maudsley facility and whether it was appropriate for patients’ mental health. Ms Clack said that the images had been taken during the build stage and since then there had been changes to the interior design with decorations added. 
5. A Member asked what fallback option was in place if the centre had to be evacuated or required to close for some time. Ms Clack said that the new facility would be co-located with the Priority House Mental Health in-patient unit, which could be used if necessary. A risk assessment would be carried out. If necessary section 136 incidents would be diverted to emergency departments which were also considered health-based places of safety under the Mental Health Act. Ms Clack noted that the Maudsley site had never closed in it’s entirety, though certain rooms had been closed due to damage.
6. Ms Clack welcomed the opportunity to return to the committee with an update on progression at an appropriate time. 

RESOLVED that the Committee

i)               support the decision of NHS Kent and Medway to provide a centralised Health Based Place of Safety at Maidstone

ii)              invite the NHS to provide an update once the unit has been operative for a meaningful period of time.