Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Roy Margolis.

A roll call will be carried out to confirm attendance and members will have the opportunity to declare any interests.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter. The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Audit, Pensions and Standards Committee.

Councillor Richardson confirmed the virtual attendance of members of the committee.

(a)   To approve as an accurate record and the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting of the Health, Adult Social Care and Social Inclusion PAC held on 8 July 2020; and

(b)   To note the outstanding actions.

The Chair noted a minor correction to the minutes, the name of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust had been incorrectly recorded.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2020 were agreed as an accurate record.

This meeting is being held remotely via Microsoft Teams. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question about any of the items on the agenda, either via Teams or in writing, please contact: bathsheba.mall@lbhf.gov.uk

Councillor Richardson thanked ParentsActive, for questions which informed Agenda Item 6, Supported Employment; and Hammersmith and Fulham Save our NHS, and Keith Mallinson for their questions and contributions to Agenda Item 7, Mental Health Integrated Network Team (MINT).  Several residents also submitted comments and questions throughout the meeting which were forwarded to the committee for information and to officers for any possible actions.

This item provides a verbal update from the Director of Public Health on Covid-19.

Councillor Richardson welcomed Dr Nicola Lang who provided a verbal update on the Council’s work in response to Covid-19.  Dr Lang confirmed that the infection rate for H&F was 27.5 per 100,000 people, a figure derived from a seven-day rolling average.  The number of cases across London was increasing rapidly and identified an upward trajectory of infectious cases at the end of August.  3% positivity (an increase from July of 1.3%) indicated that for every 100 people tested, three tested positive for Covid-19 and it was  confirmed that the percentage was increasing.  The full presentation can be found here:

Dr Nicola Lang, Director for Public Health located at 05:15 minutes

Dr Lang outlined the telephone exercise undertaken to identify patterns or trends in treatment and behaviour.  This revealed that between 1 August and 8 September, of 183 new Covid cases identified in the borough, 40% fell within the 20-29 age group and about 70% had recently been on holiday.  This was an emergent issue and the Council had implemented four main strategies in the outbreak management plan:

1.          The evidenced based deployment of mobile testing units within the borough.  Where numbers were identified in a ward, a mobile unit was deployed in easily accessible sites and a test did not need to be booked in advance. H&F was one of four London pilots where individuals testing positive received a follow up welfare telephone call.

2.          A CRM (customer relationship management) had been set up using a robust IT system.  allowing data to be collected and analysed more effectively. CRM data revealed behavioural patterns that chimed with the underlying trends identified by PHE within the same age group.  The Council had significantly increased engagement and environmental health officers reinforced the message that it was the responsibility of businesses to help customers adhere to social distancing regulations through innovative communications work using a variety of channels. Significant work with NHS colleagues had also been undertaken in residential care homes and a robust testing system was in place with reinforced messaging.  A mobile testing unit had been established at Westfield Shopping Centre to offer testing to young people as they were likely to use the Centre. 

3.          A third strand was to ensure that there was a contingency plan for each likely scenario and setting.  Dr Lang explained that they had worked closely with homeless hostels and universities and various plans had been formulated to deal with emerging scenarios.  The opportunity to plan would also address the need to ensure that other vaccinations were up to date. Dr Lang outlined a mapping programme that would show the location of every local case which allowed for autonomous checking of clusters both locally and nationally, an approach which was attributed to the progressive attitude of the council towards data collection and analysis. 

4.          The fourth stand of the containment strategy focused on community leadership.  Officers had worked closely with community and faith leaders and forums from ethnic groups to ensure clear messaging and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This report considers the support provided to young people with disabilities so that they are able to find suitable employment in a supported setting.  It will look at current provision and what has worked successfully. 

Councillor Richardson outlined the scope of the item which was in three parts.

1.          DFN Project Search

Claire Cookson and Maureen McHugh from DFN Project Search talked about the work of the organisation, it’s values and ethos.  The aim was to ensure that each young person could access the same life choices, be independent and gain confidence through developing viable skills in full-time, paid employment. The positive benefits of working indicated that those who do gain employment are likely to lead happier, healthier lives. The full presentations can be found at:

Claire Cookson, Chief Executive Officer, located at 35:22 minutes and

Maureen McHugh, Programme Specialist, located at 42:59 minutes

Victoria Brigwell commented that a supported internship was a wonderful way of overcoming barriers for people who were capable and skilled but who found it difficult to access the usual application process.  A success rate of 60% of interns finding placements was impressive but required resources.  Claire Cookson explained that Project Search was not a provider and worked with schools and colleges (and the Department for Education) to facilitate placements and to understand what was available.

Councillor Caleb-Landy commended the presentations and the outcomes that Project Search had achieved. There was awareness that an unemployment crises was likely and that the council’s record on inclusive employment outcomes was not positive. Claire Cookson responded that the council could lead by example and highlight the importance of inclusive employment by setting the benchmark.  During the pandemic 40 interns had gained employment and the opportunity to work.  This was about providing the tools to succeed, a celebration of diversity and equality and key to this was to reframe the language used. 

Councillor Kwon enquired if there was scope for sectors other than health and care, or logistics, where the same outcomes could be replicated in arts, for example and if there had been an barriers that Project Search might have experienced.  Larger organisations offered better training grounds and partnerships had also increased with universities.  Participants who were hearing disabled or had difficulties with vision had educational health care plans and could access a fund which allowed individually tailored plans to configure proper support.  One intern who was visually impaired had wanted to work in retail and found work in a Primark store, in the Harry Potter section as retail was an area that had interested him most.  Interns often offered unique perspectives that resulted in positive changes. 

There was real drive and focus on developing the employability of learning- disabled people and Project Search had the versatility and commitment to expand their work and reach other sectors in which suitable opportunities for intern placements could be identified. The breadth of opportunity was key, and within the health sector, interns often found it possible to navigate to other opportunities in an organisation such as Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust where some had moved into technical roles.

2.          Provider experiences of delivering in partnership with Project Search

Councillor Richardson felt that the “value added” aspect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report provides more detailed background as to the development of the Mental Health Integrated Network Teams (MINT) across Hammersmith & Fulham. The report contains the detail held with the staff consultation document “Development of Mental health Integrated Network Teams (MINT)” and follows workshops in each borough that ran before March 2020.

Councillor Richardson welcomed Jo Baty, Wendy Lofthouse and Linda Stradins who provided a presentation on MINT, details of which can also be found at the following link:

Jo Baty, Assistant director mental health, learning disability and provided services; ASC, LBHF, Wendy Lofthouse, Mental Health Commissioning Programme Manager, H & F CCG and Linda Stradins, H&F Service Manager, West London NHS Trust, located at 122:22 minutes

Jo Baty thanked Merril Hammer, Jim Grealy and Keith Mallinson for their contribution towards the development of MINT which was first referenced in the NHS Long Term Plan,2019.  Wendy Lofthouse recognised that the local offer for core community mental health teams had not been updated or invested in for many years and that the Long Term Plan placed an emphasis on wrap around community care.  MINT had received transformation funding ahead of a national roll out of the programme. This was a positive development given the level of investment aimed at addressing a funding gap.

Following the presentation Councillor Richardson commended and thanked officers for a well-informed presentation, and the Committee for their commitment to asking considered questions. 

Jim Grealy welcomed the development work on MINT and recognised the extent of the positive impact the investment in the service will potentially have.  He suggested that given the direction of travel and predicted economic decline, it might be possible explore a potential link to increased demand for mental health and wellbeing services.  The progress on co-production was also welcomed.  Victoria Brignell added that the members of Action on Disability was also committed to coproduction, many of who were keen to be involved in this work.  Jo Baty confirmed that Action on Disability had been invited to meet with officers to discuss and to contribute to the work co-production, to help review the council’s website on People First on social care and on MINT.

Councillor Lloyd-Harris enquired if residents were time restricted in accessing services.  There were circumstances where cases slipped through gaps in services or services then ceased operating.  Wendy Lofthouse responded that the focus of any response would be to identify the needs of each individual and how those needs can be met.  Having a model case load and case list meant that a person would be “attached” to that service despite not having an active intervention. If they received an intervention and were discharged, people might have concerns about returning to the service.  The new model would have greater flexibility, be integrated within the community and accessible according to need. Maintaining good mental health and wellbeing was only part of the answer. Having decent housing, secure employment or having purposeful and meaningful social interactions were also important.  The intention was that MINT would have a holistic approach with a more easily accessible, integrated and joined up network of services. 

Councillor Lloyd-Harris acknowledged the benefits of the new approach but highlighted that a caseload of 20-28 seemed high particularly given that some patients had complex needs.  She also highlighted that that more investment in IAPTs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Committee is asked to consider its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Committee noted that the Children and Education, Policy and Accountability Committee would be considering a brief item on children and mental health at their meeting on 22 September 2020.  However, the Committee planned to undertake more detailed scrutiny of this issue at a later meeting.  The Committee was also planning scrutiny of mental health community support action programmes such as community champions.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be noted.

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Wednesday, 4 November 2020.