MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECORD OF DECISION OF THE Cabinet
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Decision Made: |
9 April 2014 |
ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BEFORE THE POINT OF CRISIS (RESPONSE)
Issue for Decision
To consider the recommendations within the “Accessing Mental Health Services Before the Point of Crisis” review report attached as Appendix A, and the SCRAIP response attached as Appendix B, to the report of the Community, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Decision Made
That the “Accessing Mental Health Services Before the Point of Crisis” review report be noted, and that subject to the amendment of the second paragraph of the response to recommendation 1 as set out below, the responses to the recommendations be agreed and actioned as appropriate:
This meeting will develop an action plan focused on developing a prevention and commissioning approach, with current priorities identified as dementia, children (in particular, the need for more timely access to services) and mental health.
Reasons for Decision
Mental health needs of Maidstone residents has been the focus of scrutiny since 2012. A number of significant changes to the NHS took effect in April 2013 affecting how decisions about NHS services are made and how services are commissioned. Local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) were replaced by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) giving local authorities a more influential role in respect of mental health services. Local authorities are expected to work more closely with other health care providers to tackle the challenges.
The Community, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertook a number of evidence gathering sessions during 2013-2014. Witnesses included service users, representatives from West Kent CCG, Kent County Council Public Health, Kent Police, Kent County Council Community Wardens, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Kent and Medway Social Care Partnership Trust, Maidstone Borough Council Community Development Team, Maidstone Mind and Suicide Awareness for Everyone. The recommendations are a result of the evidence gathered from these meetings.
The review report and recommendations were agreed at the Community, Leisure Services and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 March 2014.
Alternatives Considered and Why Rejected
The Cabinet could have decided not to respond to the recommendations contained within the “Accessing Mental Health Services Before the Point of Crisis” review report, but was mindful that the recommendations are based on evidence from a wide range of sources and support the Council’s objectives with regard to Maidstone being a decent place to live.
Background Papers
None
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Should you be concerned about this decision and wish to call it in, please submit a call in form signed by any two Non-Executive Members to the Head of Policy and Communications by: 22 April 2014. |