Agenda item

This report provides an update on the mental health of people in Bath and North East Somerset, an update on commissioning and strategic progress and a request for further advice and support from the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Board is asked to note:

•  The progress to date across all commissioning, strategy and provision areas.

The Board is asked for further advice and support in relation to:

•  Parity of Esteem

•  The Mental Health Crisis Concordat

•  Accommodation options for people with serious mental health problems (on CPA)

•  Ways to improve the employment options for people with serious mental health problems in B&NES

•  Reducing stigma about mental health and promoting wellbeing

The Chairman invited Andrea Morland (Clinical Commissioning Group) and Paul Scott (Public Health team) to introduce the item.

Members of the Board welcomed the report, in particular information within bullet point 1 of the report (‘what do we know about mental health?’).

Councillor Romero asked about bed provision for young people with mental health issues.

Ashley Ayre commented that traditionally, in South West, it was difficult for people to access the right facilities for young people due to specific geography of the region.  Ashley Ayre added that there is a need for a lot of work to be done on this matter.

The Board supported the concept of the Parity of Esteem Programme, which was about valuing mental health equally with physical health.

The Parity of Esteem Programme has been currently developed through discussions with stakeholders and the NHS England had identified three areas as initial priorities for urgent focus during 2013/14: 

• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
• Improving diagnosis and support for people with Dementia
• Improving awareness and focus on the duties within the Mental Capacity Act

Members of the Board asked what the Board could do in terms of raising awareness and reducing stigma about mental health.

Andrea Morland and Paul Scott mentioned ‘Time To Change’ campaign, England's biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination, and suggested that the Board could sign up to that campaign.

The Chairman welcomed that suggestion and invited the Board to sign up to the ‘Time To Change’ campaign.

The Board unanimously agreed with the Chairman.

Councillor Crossley welcomed the initiative to improve the employment options for people with serious mental health problems in B&NES.  Councillor Crossley also endorsed an increase in the self-management of long-term health and mental health conditions through piloting a Wellbeing College.

The Chairman asked if officers worked together with the Economic Development team on Economic Strategy.

Paul Scott responded that there had been close working relationship with the Economic Development team.

Andrea Morland commented that employment of people with mental health problems links to stigma and that the next step would be addressing these issues with the private sector.

The Chairman commented that the Board could trigger discussion with the biggest local employers, and then engage smaller companies.

Ronnie Wright commented that reducing stigma should be on everyone’s agenda.  Ronnie Wright suggested that ‘Stigma about mental health’ should be discussed at one of the future Health & Wellbeing Network meetings and results of that discussion could be presented to the Board.

The Chairman welcomed suggestion from Ronnie Wright.

The Chairman asked about inpatient facilities.

Andrea Morland replied that people would like to feel safe in these facilities, though often they don’t.  Andrea Morland also said that services would need to think about needs of people who are frail, whether they are elderly or young.  Andrea Morland commented that Hillview Lodge was not seen as good environment and the AWP would be exploring an option of decanting, demolishing and rebuilding Hillview to accommodate extended in-patient (wider than B&NES basis) services and community teams. 

The Chairman concluded the debate by saying that this was the first of series of conversations on mental health.

It was RESOLVED:

1)  That the Health and Wellbeing Board would sign up to ‘Time To Change’ campaign;

2)  That the Health and Wellbeing Board would speak with partners and other organisations about reducing stigma about mental health;

3)  To note the progress to date across all commissioning, strategy and provision areas;

4)  To support the concept of the Parity of Esteem; and

5)  To receive a review of specialised services from the NHS England.