To be introduced to the new providers of Mental Health services in Central Bedfordshire and receive an update on the first three months in the contract.

The Director of Social Care Health and Housing advised the Committee that Mental Health Services in Central Bedfordshire had been run by the South Essex Partnership Trust until April 2015. The East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) had been successful in its bid to run Mental Health Services commissioned by Central Bedfordshire and the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and officers had been involved in the appointment process.

The Managing Director & Deputy Chief Executive for Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Wellbeing Services delivered a presentation which outlined the service vision for Bedfordshire including Luton.  During the first 100 days engagement with staff, carers, key stakeholders and statutory partners had been undertaken.  Priorities for ELFT had been established and over the next year the inclusion of accessible local services through the four health locality hubs, high quality therapeutic inpatient services, a single point of contact for patients by October 2015 including improvements to the Weller Wing at Bedford Hospital.

In light of the update and clarification sought, Members of the Committee raised the following concerns:-

In light of the update and clarification sought, Members of the Committee raised the following concerns:-

·         Whether ELFT would increase the number of front line staff.  John Wilkins advised that Bedfordshire CCG had agreed additional funding for the inpatient developments and this would increase the number of staff.  With this additional funding, ELFT wished to increase its staffing by 50-60 staff and reduce reliance on bank staff and avoid the use Agency workers where possible.  He also advised there was currently an 11% vacancy rate and a recruitment drive was in place.  ELFT had been in discussions with Bedfordshire University to develop a joint Mental Health Institute for the training of mental health nurses.  This would mean that ELFT was actively involved in the recruitment of undergraduates, supported them through their placements and would then be able to offer them posts once they qualified.  With a low turnover rate at 1%, ELFT were confident they would achieve their ambition.What arrangements were in place to work with the Police to support residents who needed specialist Mental Health help?  John Wilkins advised that a training programme for Police Constables had been arranged and the recently agreed Bedfordshire Crisis Concordant had agreed a range of actions including improving assessments in A&E and a faster assessment within the Section 136 suites at Bedford Hospital and L&D Hospital.  Both these would significantly reduce the time Police Officers were spending in these areas.  Options for a joint Police and ELFT Mental Health Street Triage project were being developed.  This would involve an experienced mental health nurse working with the Police on the streets.    The Director of Social Care Health and Housing advised that a report on the Mental Health Crisis Concordant would be submitted to the October meeting of this Committee.

RECOMMENDED noted the update and the Mental Health Crisis Concordant be included on the work programme for October’s meeting.