Due to a disclosable pecuniary interest in the item, Councillor Angela Davies left the meeting for the duration.

The Deputy Chief Executive of Cheshire and Wirral partnership (CWP) introduced the report which provided a background and summary of the activity undertaken within Cheshire and Wirral in respect of delivering the NHS Long Term Plan ambitious targets for community mental health. It was reported that on both a national and local scale, community mental health services needed to be modernised. The community transformation framework consisted of a new place based multi-disciplinary service which joined health and social care and community, voluntary and faith sector organisations. This aligned to the primary care network and broke down the artificial barriers between primary and secondary care and focussed not only on diagnosis but also the complexities that individuals presented with.

It was outlined that the transformation created opportunity for joined up care and a whole person approach which would ensure that individuals had access to mental health care when and where they needed it to help them to manage their own condition and move towards recovery on their own terms. The Cheshire and Wirral Community Wellbeing Alliance had been developed which was a representation of a range of partners that had come together to ensure that people across Wirral and Cheshire had good mental health support. Within Wirral, 34 organisations had joined the alliance and a number of grants had been awarded to build upon and enhance local community assets.

The community mental health transformation was a long term transformation programme which would span a number of years. It was recognised that there was still much more work to be done but CWP were pleased with the engagement of partners up to this point.

A discussion ensued with members querying the limited support for patients with mental health in the community and how to get from the current position to the service that is envisaged. The Deputy Chief Executive of CWP outlined that members had identified the core issues and reasons why the transformation programme was being implemented, there had been engagement with primary care networks across Wirral and CWP were keen to engage with primary care and the general public to ensure that the model was correct. It was reported that Health Education England had provided training and development around psychological interventions and CWP had linked in with education establishments for a pipeline of nurses, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. It was recognised that services needed to modernise and transform and that there were national challenges around workforce.

The Committee was informed of services available to those in crisis who had threatened to commit suicide, a 24 hour crisis line that was open which was staffed by qualified nurses and practitioners and that there had been great feedback from this service. The police may also be involved to ensure that the individual is taken to a place of safety so that an assessment of needs could be undertaken and there was a crisis team that could go and support this process. It was highlighted that the long term transformation plan had a specific focus around suicide prevention.

In response to queries from members on the inclusive community based offer, it was reported that CWP had been working with third sector colleagues as those organisations could have greater connectivity in the community and could enhance inclusivity. CWP delivered services that were sensitive to peoples backgrounds, but it was accepted that some groups were higher risk, and assurance was given that the services could adapt to support.

The Chair urged the committee to remember that this was a transformation programme and suggested a task and finish group be set up to feed back into the consultation phase.

On a motion by the Chair, Seconded by Councillor O’Hagan it was

Resolved That –

(1)  the proposed change be scrutinised and the impact on the local community and health service users be considered.

(2)  where appropriate, requests for “one-system” (do once, do well) be supported.

(3)  the vision as detailed in the report be supported and championed.

(4)  a task and finish group be established to provide feedback to the consultation phase.