Agenda item

Members considered a presentation that proposed the bringing together of a number of actions which would look to improve mental health services for people in Doncaster. The proposed Improvement Plan was not a replacement of the individual plans currently in place, but complementary to, and would bring together a more joined up approach of working over a five year period.

The work undertaken would look to provide patients with the tools for better self-management, earlier identification of their deteriorating mental health and the access to support for coping with, and recovering from mental illness.

The Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health was a national consensus statement that would look to transform the health system by increasing the focus on prevention of mental health. By ensuring that there was more joined up way of working and commissioning, it would allow for a more holistic approach, which would not only focus on people’s needs but also recognise the determinants that affected mental wellbeing. The seven points of the Concordat were outlined in depth during the course of the presentation, with the Board asked to support this by endorsing the concordat through the agreement and signing of it by the Chair or Director of Public Health.

The Plan organised across several themes, which aimed to make it accessible, concise and easy to read:-

·         Living Well – Community led support and low level early intervention

·         Access to appropriate services

·         Holistic Care and Support

·         People with Complex / bespoke needs

·         Suicide Prevention

There would also be information relating to outcomes and needs, and governance and assets aspects, all of which would be integral to the delivery of the Mental Health Improvement Plan. The Plan would be a live document and would be updated on a regular basis to ensure it was developed and monitored accordingly.

Members were supportive of the approach, particularly in relation to the elements relating to children and families, as there often proved to be gaps in providing the support needed to children coming from troubled homes. It was a piece of work that would transition gradually, and although a lot of work was still needed the Board was hopeful this would happen with greater joined up working. Members commented that the focus on prevention was key, as it was important to look at the roots of mental health and they were continually learning from the work carried out in relation to the complex lives agenda in working towards more successful ways of dealing with family rooted issues.

There was acknowledgement that whilst prevention was key, the bigger picture was a huge challenge and joint commissioning and better partnership working was needed in order that the mental health agenda could be driven forward.

Members were happy to support the Concordat and Mental Health Improvement Plan, and were assured that their concerns would be noted, and as the document would be a live document, it could be adapted and moved forward when changes were needed.

RESOLVED that the Board endorsed the Better Mental Health Improvement Plan for Adults and support the Director of Public Health and/or the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board to sign the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board.