Agenda item
Mental Health Strategy Update
Recommendation:
Note the progress made in delivering the Tower Hamlets Health & Wellbeing Board Mental Health Strategy
Lead for Item: Richard Fradgley, Lead Commissioner for Mental Health.
Minutes:
Richard Fradgley, (Lead Commissioner for Mental Health Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)) gave an update on the Mental Health Strategy that was a five year plan for improving outcomes for people with or a risk of mental health problems in Tower Hamlets. He explained the key priorities in the plan and in particularly the intention to focus on Children and Young People Mental Health (CAMHS) as this had been identified as a top priority for the services. He began by showing the Board a short video about a patients experience with mental health services from childhood through to adulthood.
He then presented some statistics about the high number of children with such issues in the Borough and highlighted the profound effect this had on young people and their families. The research also showed that a significant number of people first experienced mental health conditions in their teenage years. All of which showed the importance of early intervention, supported by a robust evidence base. Especially, intervention in schools
The Board were reminded of the scope of the services and aims in the strategy. There would be a results based approach with close working with key services, children and families. Consultation had been carried out with children and young people recently at workshops that had raised some interesting issues that had been fed into the work. It was planned to carry out further workshops with a broader range of stakeholders. It was intended that the CAMHS service would be extended to support age range up to 25 years old.
Mr Fradgley also referred to the Health Select Committee enquiry on Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. One of the main issues identified was the fragmentation of services. The government had now set up a task force to review the commissioning of CAMHS.
In response, the Board drew attention to the link between mental and physical health and the need to integrate services for children to deal with both issues. This could help prevent the onset of physical illness in adulthood. It was felt that raising awareness in schools was key. Other alternative ideas such as running awareness campaigns in shopping centres or virtually through apps could be considered.
Esther Trenchard – Mabere (Associate Director of Public Health LBTH) reported that that the new specification for school nurses included training on mental health issues and early preventative work.
It was also noted that there were plans to have a crisis line for East London and that the Children HWBB recently held a meeting on CAMHS. The outcome of this discussion would be incorporated into this work.
The Board also asked about the support available to schools in terms of fulfilling the requirements under the new Special Educational Needs legislation with relation to mental health. Officers expressed confidence that they were well prepared for the changes.
Questions were also asked about the availability of statistics for adopted children. It was felt that there was a lack of information on their wellbeing.
It was also suggested that there may be merit in encouraging schools governing bodies to have representatives with experience in children’s health and wellbeing.
The Board also stressed that steps should be taken to address the perceived fragmentation of services.
Mr Fradgley noted the points raised. He reported that the outline business plan was being developed and this would inform the refresh of the Strategy. The refresh should address the outstanding issues
Resolved:
That the progress made in delivering the Tower Hamlets Health & Wellbeing Board Mental Health Strategy be noted.
Supporting documents: