Issue - meetings

To consider reports from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on the following 2 Substantial Developments or Variations in Service:

      Delivering high quality services through efficient design;

      Redesigning adult and older people’s mental health services in Central and Eastern Cheshire

The Committee considered the reports of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) on the outcome of the public consultation on the following Substantial Developments or Variations in Service (SDVs):

      Delivering high quality services through efficient design - how CWP proposed to deliver high quality mental health, drug and alcohol and learning disability services.  The consultation exercise had been independently analysed by the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Chester.  They concluded that there were a small number of respondents to the questionnaire contained within the consultation document (32) and a significant majority supported the position of CWP in terms of the necessity to redesign mental health services to deliver greater efficiency.  There was a general view that the main driver for the development of mental health services was underpinned by a reduction in in-patient beds which was itself driven by financial issues.  Some respondents raised concerns regarding access to in-patient services and poor public transport facilities.  There was general support for the development of small specialist units across the Trust’s geographical areas and a request for an improvement in communication of information. 

      Redesigning Adult and Older people’s mental health services in Central and Eastern Cheshire – the proposed provision of all adult and older persons’ acute mental health inpatient services from a single site.  This consultation exercise had also been independently analysed by the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Chester.  They concluded that there were a small number of respondents to the questionnaire contained within the consultation document and many accepted the position of CWP in terms of the need to redesign mental health services and understood the position regarding financial constraints.  Concerns were expressed about the potential location of a single unit and access to it.  No significant issues were raised that would suggest that from a consultation point of view CWP needed to reconsider or revise their intentions.

The Committee was advised that a total of 7 public meetings had been held on the SDVs and 200 people had attended overall.  One consistent theme was around the provision of support to carers.  CWP had also received responses on behalf of organisations as well as individual responses.  The results of the consultation exercise would be considered by the CWP Board the following day.

Members noted the work undertaken to consult on the two sets of proposals and the disappointing number of responses.  It was felt that some wording could have been made more clear and simple and that one concern regularly mentioned was regarding a balance between a need for in-patient beds and community based care and support.  There was also concern regarding the possible location of any new unit in Central and Eastern Cheshire. 

RESOLVED:   That the reports on the outcome of the public consultation be received and further reports be made to the Joint Scrutiny Committee covering the Committee’s response and the proposals for implementing both sets of proposals.