Agenda item

The Panel received a comprehensive presentation from representatives of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on their three-year strategy for 2021/22 to 2024/25.  The update covered the key aspects of the strategy; the impact of Covid-19 on mental health; priorities for East Berkshire and Slough over the next year; and the ‘Winter Offer’ of integrated services.

The plan had three strategic objectives over the next three years:

·  Make Berkshire Healthcare a great place to work for all our people;

·  Improve access, quality and experience of care for all of our patients; and

·  Work with partners to improve the health outcomes of all of our populations.

The Mental Health Strategy was a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan supported by £3.2bn of additional funding nationally.  The key aspects of the strategy were described and its was noted that the major initiatives for Slough and east Berkshire was implementation of the Community Mental Health Framework which the Panel had received a report on in November 2020.  The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health were set out.  There had been an initial drop in activity but it had increased since and models predicted significantly higher levels of demand for mental health services post-Covid peak.  The cases that were presenting were more complex with increased acuity and there had also been more safeguarding referrals for domestic abuse. 

The Panel discussed the priorities for the next year in terms of adults and children’s services.  There was increased access to digital and online delivery of services during the pandemic and a review would take place for community health services to establish the most effective way to deliver services in the future.  The learning and innovation in the past year during Covid-19 would be embedded.  Future estate planning would also take place to promote integration with community and primary care and the local authority.  The Panel noted that the refurbishment of Upton Hospital site had been delayed due to Covid-19.  The priorities for CAMHS in 2021/22 included embedded mental health support teams which had been launched in Slough in September 2020.  The Trust had been successful in obtaining funds related to tackling eating disorders in children and the Panel asked to be provided with an update at a future meeting.

Members discussed the significant impacts that mental health issues could have on children and young people included on life expectancy.  It was recognised the issue of severe mental illness in children was not new and the problem remained despite many initiatives focused on it over several years.  The referral routes for school age children was raised and it was confirmed teachers could make referrals.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Strutton asked about the issue of PTSD due to Covid-19, including amongst NHS workers.  He also asked whether there had been any increase in the rate of suicide locally.  In response Trust representatives stated that there was a predicted increase in demand for mental health services and the Trust was preparing for this scenario.  In relation to the impact of the pandemic on the rate of suicide, it was considered to be too early to draw any conclusions based on the statistics to date.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Chair thanked representatives of the Trust for their presentation and for the work they were doing in challenging circumstances.

Resolved –  That  details of the update be noted.