Agenda item

Kez Hayat, Commissioning Programme Manager to present an update on mental health. Presentation attached.

Kez Hayat introduced himself and explained that he was the Mental Health Programme Lead at Bury CCG/OCO and lead on Mental Health provision in Bury. Kez explained that the last time he had attended the Health Scrutiny Committee was just before the pandemic had hit. At that time the Thriving in Bury Strategy had been drafted and was about to be implemented, this didn’t happen at that time as priorities changed significantly in relation to the effect that the pandemic was having on mental health both locally and nationally. Guidance from NHS England in relation to the pandemic was integrated into the services offered and provided. Support and guidance was sought from a number of different partners including the voluntary and faith sectors.

It was reported that all mental health services including clinical and voluntary and faith services continued to operate during the pandemic and despite the pressures on the staff no services shut during this period which was a testament to the staff supporting them.

The digital services and support that was available was well received and worked well.

As lockdown restrictions had begun to be lifted, services were starting to see an increase with mental health related issues but it was felt that the mental health service provision in Bury was in a good position to be able to cope. Work was being carried out in partnerships across Greater Manchester to provide support.

Work was ongoing to develop pathways and it was reported that the next six months will be challenging and additional resources may be required to support services and to provide more help.

Kez reported that he would be more than happy to attend a future meeting to provide an update,

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments and the following points were raised:

• Councillor Pilkington referred to inequalities in services provided by the voluntary sector that there may be across the borough between areas of affluence and deprived neighbourhoods and asked what was being done to ensure that services were accessible and equitable across the whole borough.

Kez explained that information was available in relation to neighbourhoods. He reported that services weren’t commissioned at a place based level rather than neighbourhoods. Going forward the work that hade been carried out in relation to localities and neighbourhoods would allow for services to be commissioned closer to neighbourhoods. The Living Well Model will be the bridge between those that are doing well and thriving and those that need support. This will be provided by specialist community teams and not just clinical but socioeconomic support as well.

• Carol Birchmore asked how a person was referred to then receive support.

Kez explained that there were a few referral processes, most would be through a GP into secondary care and community services. There were also direct referrals which would be low level support which could be accessed over the phone.

Adrian also explained that if someone Googled Bury Mental Health or Bury Healthy Minds all of the different routes to access support and services were there also self-referral.

Kez also stated that this information was available on the online Bury Directory.

• Councillor Lewis asked whether different age groups were looked at differently in relation to mental health service provision and whether they were targetted differently.

• Councillor Lewis also asked whether there was early prevention services available which could help with lifestyle issues such as better sleep advice or exercise  referral.

Kez explained that there was a CYP lead that worked with 0 – 16/17 and then adults services which are 18 +. There were issues with transitioning from Children’s services to adults and work was ongoing around working together to make it more streamlined. Data was collected and broken in relation to age groups and different services required so that priorities could be targetted.

Will Blandamer reported on the work that was being carried out by the integrated neighbourhood teams to better understand their communities and to recognise vulnerabilities and bring together services.  This gives staff across different teams and providers the opportunity to know each other, connect and work together. This is in the ‘Let’s Do It Strategy’ across the five footprints. This work allows for shared understanding and capacities.

• Councillor Lewis referred to the strategy and asked that the support would be tailored for each individual as one size does not fit all. Councillor Lewis also expressed his worry that there seemed to be a reliance on anti-depressants and asked if enough preventative work was being undertaken.

Kez referred to the Strategy and the initial approach which focused on coping and thriving which would look at alternatives to clinical support. The strategy looks to identify the determinants of poor mental health and what solutions were needed such as lifestyle changes and wellbeing support without clinical intervention.

• Councillor Hayes asked about Police involvement in mental health incidents and asked if the training that the Police received was aligned with the work that the CCG and Council were doing.

Kez stated that there was the Bury Police Partnership Group that he attended along with other partners and Mental Health Leads. There were a lot of pressures on Police Services as well as other services, but it was about working together in partnership. Work would continue to ensure that support was there.

Adrian explained that there were Section 136 suites which were located across the borough, and these could be used as required.

It was agreed:

1. That Kez be thanked for his presentation.

2. That all of the officers be thanked for their input.