Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update on various matters including:

      the current position with Substantial Developments or Variations in Service (SDVs);

      the current position regarding facilities at Primrose Avenue, Haslington, Cheshire and Crook Lane, Winsford, Cheshire;

      Attendance Management arrangements;

      The future format of the Quality Account.

The Committee considered the Chief Executive’s update report on the following items:

      Service developments and variations update – following reports to the last meeting on the consultation processes for 2 substantial developments – Delivering high quality services through efficient design; and Redesigning Adult and Older People’s Mental Health Services, the Trust Board had noted the outcome of the consultations and commissioned feedback letters to stakeholders.   The Adult and Older People’s service redesign is to be progressed through the reconvening of the Project Team.  The Delivering high quality services outcome is to be taken forward through the Trust’s Annual Plan.  This initiative links to a review of inpatient beds to be discussed at the mid point meeting;

      Update on Primrose Avenue and Crook Lane – the current position with the closure of Primrose Avenue and creation of a single health respite unit for Central Cheshire at Crook Lane, Winsford was outlined – service users and carers were to be notified of the proposal and a date agreed for the closure of Primrose Avenue, re-assessment of all service users based on new eligibility criteria would be introduced at a later date;

      Future format of Quality Accounts – an implementation plan was in place to deliver the priorities set out within the Quality Accounts 2010/11.  The Committee would receive quarterly monitoring reports outlining progress against these priorities;

      Attendance Targets -2010/11 – since becoming a Foundation Trust, sickness levels had been reduced from 7% of working days lost to just over 5%; this compared with an average for NHS Mental Health Trusts in the North West region of 6%.  Various measures had been introduced to continue to reduce days lost due to sickness absence and a trust wide target of 95.5% attendance was set for 2010/11.  Members were advised that long term sickness absence was reducing and was easier to manage than short term sickness, future reports would specify levels of short term sickness compared with long term;

      Induction – an induction session on 21 September at the Trust Headquarters had been arranged, followed by a visit to Bowmere Hospital and all members of the Committee were welcome to attend;

      Suicide Prevention Strategy – this strategy was due to be renewed shortly and would be circulated to all members of the Committee.