Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was submitted from Barrie Patman.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 March 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 March 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest

Councillor Cheng declared a Personal Interest in item 6 Updates on mental health support for vulnerable communities in Wokingham on the grounds that she was the Council’s representative on Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Board of Governors. 

To answer any public questions

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions submitted under notice.

The Council welcomes questions from members of the public about the work of this committee.

Subject to meeting certain timescales, questions can relate to general issues concerned with the work of the Committee or an item which is on the Agenda for this meeting.  For full details of the procedure for submitting questions please contact the Democratic Services Section on the numbers given below or go to www.wokingham.gov.uk/publicquestions

There were no public questions.

To answer any member questions

There were no Member questions.

To receive updates on mental health support for vulnerable communities in Wokingham

Ingrid Slade, Consultant in Public Health and Andy Fitton, Assistant Director of Joint Commissioning, NHS Berkshire West CCG, provided an update on mental health support for vulnerable communities in Wokingham.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had submitted a number of questions previously around mental health and wellbeing.

·       Nearly half of all mental health issues experienced in adulthood would have begun by the age of 15 and three quarters by the age of 18.  Poor mental health in young people could impact on their life chances in the future.

·       Ingrid Slade outlined the impact of Covid on the population mental health.  The impact of Covid was still largely unknown.  A significant negative impact on children and young people’s emotional wellbeing was likely.  Whilst there had been some research regarding the additional benefits of being at home with both parents, the impact of missed education, social interaction and lockdown, meant that the impact was likely to be largely negative.

·       There had been a self-reported survey published by Public Health England which had shown that health and wellbeing had worsened since the beginning of the pandemic and that there was high levels of anxiety and lower level of happiness following the first lockdown, which had endured.  It was likely that trends in Wokingham would be similar. 

·       The Public Health team would be publishing a local mental health needs assessment which would cover the whole of the life course, by the end of the year, to help plan future services.

·       Current services for children and young people included:

Ø  CAMHS Service (including the Berkshire Eating Disorder Service (BEDS).  This was commissioned by the CCG and delivered by Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (BHFT)

Ø  Mental Health Support Team (MHST) project for secondary schools.

Ø  A new ‘Tier 2’ offer to support emotional health and wellbeing in children and young people – jointly commissioned by the Council and the CCG and delivered by BHFT.

·       Andy Fitton referred to specialist services for children and young people with an escalated condition, often around anxiety and depression.

·       The mental health referrals into the Common Point of Entry (CPE) for Berkshire West had been affected by lockdown, from a low of 42 to a high of 336.  Much of this related to lock down and access to professionals.  Also, early in the pandemic, many people had withdrawn from accessing even primary care.  Whilst numbers had reduced over the last few months it was not back down to the very low level.

·       Andy Fitton highlighted the current number of those waiting for the Specialist CAMHS team and also the Anxiety and Depression team and the current wait times.  Members asked if it was possible to have a break down of those receiving treatment in Wokingham.  Andy Fitton agreed to feed back to the Committee.

·       The BEDS team, the eating disorder team for those aged 8 to 18, had been established following a national drive to have a specific clinical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update on the priorities for Adult Social Care for the forthcoming year.

This item was deferred.

To receive an update on the work of Healthwatch Wokingham Borough.

Jim Stockley provided an update on the work of Healthwatch Wokingham.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made;

·       He referred to the insight into action report and referred to the emphasis on the information on vaccinations and services, provided to residents.

·       Some residents continued to have issues accessing dental appointments, although some dental practices had started to offer more appointments in the evenings and weekends.

·       Healthwatch continued to take calls and signpost to services.  The team had helped at an event at the Aisha Mosque, highlighting available services to residents.

·       The Carer’s experience during Covid report was being finalised.

·       Healthwatch Wokingham continued to look for a further Non-Executive Director.

·       Jim Stockley indicated that he was the Chair of More Arts and referred to the importance of the arts in improving mental health and wellbeing.

·       A Member referred to the case studies highlighted within the insight into action report and asked how Healthwatch made sure that they did not happen again.  Jim Stockley commented that they would approach the service providers to raise concern and could also highlight issues to organisations such as the CQC.

·       Members praised Healthwatch Wokingham’s good work during the pandemic and noted its increased online reach.

·       A Member referred to a case study relating to Do Not Resuscitate.  He questioned whether Healthwatch would support a communication piece on this, and was informed that they would.

·       In response to a question as to whether Healthwatch had received information from residents seeking face to face GP appointments but who had been given phone or video appointments, Jim Stockley agreed to feed back to the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the update on the work of Healthwatch Wokingham be noted.

To receive a report regarding the Health Scrutiny Arrangements Across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care System.

This item was deferred.

To consider the forward programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Committee considered the forward programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       The items on the Adult Social Care priorities and the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been deferred to the July meeting.

·       The Chairman requested that the Adult Social Care KPIs be a standing item going forwards.

·       The Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee had referred the matter of public toilet provision across the Borough.  This was scheduled for the September meeting.

·       Members requested an update from the Royal Berkshire Hospital regarding its remodelling proposals.  It was suggested that this be scheduled for November.

·       A Member requested that David Birch from Optalis be invited to speak to the Committee regarding forthcoming changes to Optalis, at the Committee’s September meeting.

·       A Member indicated that he would like a briefing on the ambulance service, having received concerns from residents regarding operational efficiency. It was suggested that this be tabled for the Committee’s January meeting.

·       A Member stated that it was important to keep apprised of items of interest on the other BOB health overview and scrutiny committees’ agendas.

·       It was agreed that an update on GP practice provision be scheduled for November and an update on dentistry be scheduled for September.

RESOLVED:  That the forward programme be noted.