Agenda item
Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health
- Meeting of Online 'Virtual' Meeting, Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee, Thursday, 23rd July, 2020 6.30 p.m. (Item 3.2)
- View the background to item 3.2
(Lead – Edwin Ndlovu, Director of Operations, East London Foundation Trust) (30 mins)
Minutes:
The Sub-Committee received a presentation by Edwin Ndlovu Borough Director for Tower Hamlets East London Foundation Trust on the emerging picture regarding the Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of residents. The main points of the discussion maybe summarised as follows:
The Committee noted that:
- The pandemic has generally exacerbated life stressors at a time when coping mechanisms have also been curtailed or made more difficult to access.
- Social isolation, job and financial losses, housing insecurity and quality, working in frontline services has been traumatic for many of those workers and reduced access to health and care services.
- People have either delayed or avoided getting necessary care and support, and this has been indicated in the lower referral rates and patient’s reluctance to engage.
- People from BAME background, those with a Learning Disability (LD) and older adults have been affected much more than others.
- There had been an increase in referrals amongst 18-39-year olds. This was in line with recent surveys conducted by University College London (UCL) and others which it was felt indicated that young people are more likely to be affected by COVID19 with anxiety and depression.
- The findings of the surveys have suggested job security, housing security, and living quality are factors related to the increase in anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is important to ensure effective signposting to services such as housing and benefits.
- Adults of working age and older adult community services have run virtual clinics, consultant feedback by phone or video where appropriate.
- All known service users were “rag rated” according to risk and contingency planning across teams were implemented to ensure their needs were prioritised.
- Face to face appointments were provided where clinically necessary and the Teams utilised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maintained services throughout the pandemic.
- A Crisis Hub was established to divert people with mental health conditions away from Accident and Emergency (A&E) to reduce the risk of COVID transmission.
- There is an emerging concern of mental health issues amongst children, younger people, and their families. Therefore, effective plans need to be developed with relevant sectors i.e. education and housing to put in place remedial solutions and appropriate coping mechanisms before it reaches crisis point.
- Whilst young people are more likely to adapt to new virtual resources which enables any initial contact to take place at a faster pace. However, people’s experiences vary when it comes to effective support and treatment in present COVID conditions. The recommendation is to find appropriate ways to support users and offer choice as much as possible.
- The Crisis Line set up an extra line to respond to increased demand and a Crisis Café was set up and run by the charity Hestia in response to concerns around the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on mental health. Hestia aimed to support people in crisis out of hours and as an alternative to A&E.
- The Home treatment Team has operated as normal throughout to prevent hospital admissions.
- Psychological Therapy services transformed their provision by replacing face to face group therapy with on-line groups.
- There was a concern that safe hospital bed management would be impacted by an increase in COVID 19 cases. The wards therefore worked closely with the community teams and Home Treatment Teams (HTT) to safely reduce bed occupancy and support COVID infection control procedures.
- It was agreed that it was important to recognise and articulate what is being learnt on a moment by moment basis. Therefore, reflective practice spaces have been made available to all teams to enhance their resilience and provide support during these difficult times.
Accordingly, the Chair moved, and it was agreed that:
- There is an increase in referrals amongst 18-39-year olds. This is in line with recent surveys conducted by UCL and others which suggest young people are more likely to be affected by COVID19 with anxiety and depression. The findings suggest job security, housing security and living quality are factors related to the increase. The recommendation is to ensure effective signposting to services such as housing, benefits as quickly as possible.
- Young people are more likely to adapt to new virtual resources which can enable initial contact much faster. However, people’s experiences vary when it comes to effective support and treatment in present COVID conditions. The recommendation is to find appropriate ways to support users and offer choice as much as possible; and
- There is an emerging concern of mental health issues amongst children, younger people, and their families. The recommendation is that effective plans are developed with relevant sectors i.e. education and housing to put in place remedial solutions and appropriate coping mechanisms before it reaches crisis point.
Supporting documents: