Agenda item

To receive a presentation from representatives of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Denbighshire and Neuro-development Services.

 

11.40am – 12.30pm

Councillor Gareth Lloyd Davies declared a personal interest in Item 7 (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Neuro-Development Services) as he is an employee of BCUHB.

 

Councillor Rachel Flynn (observer) declared a personal interest in Item 7 (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Neuro-Development Services) as her son has been referred for neuro-development from CAMHS.

 

In attendance to jointly present the Specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Neurodevelopment Services verbal report from BCUHB were:

 

Bethan Jones, Area Director Central

Sue Wynne, Clinical Service Manager, Central Area, and

Sara Hammond-Rowley, Head of Child Psychology and Psychological Therapies

 

The Area Director, Central, Bethan Jones introduced the presentation and outlined the aims which were:

·         To provide an overview of Specialist CAMHS and Neurodevelopment Services for children and young people in Denbighshire linked to the BCUHB regional approach;

·         To outline the vision – a whole systems approach – and highlight partnership working / joint projects.

 

The outline of current attention to mental health in the media – the benefits and possible unintended consequences:

 

Benefits –

Ø  Greater awareness of mental health in general public

Ø  Increased campaigning

Ø  Reduced stigma, and

Ø  More people coming forward to ask for help

 

Possible unintended consequences –

Ø  More people asking for help for “normal” distress, which resulted in an increase in demand for problems that do not always require specialist help

Ø  Those with significant mental health problems / mental illnesses could feel excluded, some felt that the increased focus on “wellbeing” undermined the seriousness of “real” mental health problems and unintentionally could reduce access for those who needed it most

Ø  More services described themselves as focusing on mental health potentially resulting in too many overlapping services and confusion.

 

They explained the difference between Primary care and Secondary care.

 

The main functions of CAMHS was:

·         Integrated

ü  Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDT)

ü  Functions

·         Single Point of Access

·         Assessment and Treatment

·         Crisis

·         Working with partners – Early Intervention and Prevention

 

A whole systems approach was now being utilised in relation to CAHMS services as it was felt that there was a need to concentrate on all aspects of CAMHS to make sure everything was taken into account.  Focusing specifically on meeting targets would do a dis-service to the children and young people who required and needed help at a time of crisis.

 

There had been challenges over the past 3 years in the recruitment of staff due to increased demand.  This was a national issue.

 

A recruitment drive had been held over the past 12 months and developed new training posts to attract professionals into CAMHS.  This recruitment drive had been successful with an additional 30% of staff joining the team who were currently commencing their posts.  The additional staff would enable the 4 weeks to be reached across all routine waits and assessments.  Additional recruitment drives was realising some interest in posts and it was anticipated to be fully established by the end of March 2020.

 

During in-depth discussions, the following were raised:

·         If there were a crisis issue, it was confirmed the individual would receive immediate help and treatment and would not be expected to wait.  Non-crisis referrals would be subject to being placed on a waiting list, but the aim was to reduce the time individuals spent on a waiting list.

·         For primary care, there was an aim to reduce the waiting lists.  Demand was on the increase which was recognised by both the UK and Welsh Governments.

·         Work was underway with the North Denbighshire GP cluster in a bid to reduce the numbers referred to Specialist CAMHS through early intervention at the primary care point of access.  Providing the right service at the right time was key.

·         Progress was being made in relation to self-harming as a robust piece of work had been carried out within Denbighshire and there was immense support and work being carried out to help those young people who self-harm.

·         There was to be a regional project led by Denbighshire to be set up but due to the complexity it does take time and careful consideration.  The project would provide information and the child’s development and problems which would be accessible for parents and carers.

·         The effects social media has on young people had increased tremendously and it was confirmed that there was a need to refine pathways.  In terms of pastoral care, all secondary schools had in place a link person who attended all meetings. 

·         The CAMHS Outreach project for Denbighshire and Wrexham was currently being evaluated. This was a jointed owned initiative between CAMHS and schools in both counties.

·         It was confirmed that anxiety was a monstrous problem and could cause depression.  This issue was hoping to be dealt with in more depth as and when more staff were recruited.

·         The Education Service had a key role to play in delivering appropriate support to school pupils, however that could not be done until CAMHS assessments had been completed

·         Neurodevelopmental Services had now been separated form CAMHS as it was acknowledged that neurodevelopmental conditions were not mental health conditions

·         Confirmed that the CAMH Service would explore the potential of developing guidance documents for parents whose children were waiting to access services.

 

The Committee thanked the representatives from BCUHB for attending and giving an overview of CAMHS.

 

RESOLVED that, subject to the above observations, the presentation on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Neuro-Development Services be noted and received.