Agenda item

This report provides an update for the Health and Wellbeing Board on:

i)          the mental health pressures being experienced by residents - exacerbated by Covid-19 and the associated control measures;

ii)         the consequent increased demand on and challenges being faced by the mental health system;

iii)        the issues and concerns arising; and  

iv)        the steps being taken in response and in preparation for a post-Covid-19 period, to ensure improved mental health outcomes, experiences and services for Surrey residents.

Witnesses:

Alan Downey - Independent Chairman, Surrey Mental Health Partnership Board

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.      The Independent Chairman of the Surrey Mental Health Partnership Board explained that:

·         The Partnership Board had two meetings so far noting some overlap between membership of the Partnership Board and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

·         Work was progressing well, thanking Partnership Board members and the project team led by the Deputy Chief Executive (SCC), and the Partnership Board would continue to meet every three weeks over the next six months.

·         It was clear from the first two meetings that there was a strong and shared commitment to make progress in improving mental health outcomes in Surrey and to tackle the obstacles which had prevented past progress in some areas.

·         He echoed the comments by the Priority Two Sponsor that mental health had never been more important, particularly given the context of the pandemic which had highlighted health inequalities.

·         The key points from the first meeting were that there was a strong desire to see a more preventive approach in dealing with mental health issues, through prevention and early intervention, and the importance of building on wider community assets, schools, families and workplaces not just looking to the public sector to solve all of the problems.

·         It remained vital to listen carefully to those who experienced mental health issues and to listen to their families and carers.

·         At the most recent Partnership Board the draft key lines of enquiry were reviewed and once finalised those would form the basis of the workshops, interviews and focus groups over the next few weeks.

·         Although there was shared commitment to make progress, there were some differences of view about priorities, the language used, about how best to involve and to reach people who experienced mental ill health.

·         A set of jointly agreed actions, an implementation plan, and priorities would need to be developed; the first stages of implementation would start in May followed by a progress review in August.

·         The success of the Partnership Board would depend on the willingness and the determination of those involved to set aside organisational interests and to work cooperatively across organisational boundaries.

·         As part of the review a relational diagnostic was included which would tease out the strengths and the weaknesses in relationships across the mental health and the care system in Surrey.

2.      The Chairman looked forward to receiving that data on the progress of the work at the next Board.

RESOLVED:

1.      Noted the significant demands, issues, concerns and performance associated with the mental health system in Surrey, particularly arising from the additional pressures created by Covid-19, and the impact this is having on Surrey residents.

2.      Approved and supported the range of multi-agency work going on and being initiated to address the situation, including through the Surrey Heartlands Mental Health Partnership and Improvement Board.

3.      Would receive a further report on the issue of mental health outcomes, experiences and services in Surrey in June.

Actions/further information to be provided:

None.