Agenda item

Agenda item

Annual (Health) Report (NHS Bedfordshire CCG)

 

To consider a report on the achievements, progress and challenges of the Looked After Children (LAC) health service in meeting the health needs of Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) children and young people in care and care leavers during the period from 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018.

 

Minutes:

 

The Panel considered the report on the achievements, progress and challenges of the Looked After Children (LAC) health service in meeting the needs of Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) children and young people in care and care leavers during the period from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.

 

Points and comments included:

 

1.    There was a Designated Doctor in post to undertake Initial Health Assessments (IHA’s).  However, if the Doctor was not available, IHA’s could be undertaken by an appointed paediatrician.

 

2.    In response to a question raised about the possible effect on health services resulting from the potential merger of the Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton Clinical Commissioning Groups, the Designated Nurse for Looked After Children explained that the Clinical Commissioning Group had appointed a Joint Accountable officer in November 2018 and interviews for Senior Management posts had taken place in December. There would be a transition period after the merger and dedicated professionals in each service area which would be reviewed going forward. It was hoped that the merger would result in services for young people becoming more efficient. Of note, there had always been good communication between Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire in terms of children and safeguarding.

 

3.    Mental Health Services in Central Bedfordshire consisted of psychiatrics, the CAHMS team and social workers with an interest in psychology. The transformation plan for these services included a single point of access being put in place. CHUMS was also part of this process.

 

4.    The Designated Nurse for Looked After Children advised that further analysis and clarification would be sought from colleagues into the reason why the Looked After Children’s CAMHS Service Performance Data 2017-18  showed 468 Direct Patient Contact with a DNA rate of 4.7%  which lower than any other quarter.

 

5.    Members of the Panel were advised that the Health Passport is paper record of the medical and healthcare history of a Looked After Child held by the local authority. The document is child specific as the young person decides what information they want included on their Health Passport. The document can be a useful source of information for health and appointments. The Health Passport can be requested by the young person during Review Health Assessment for their final meeting.

 

6.    Following a recent workshop held by the Looked After Children Health Team discussions are planned with young people to consider the content and presentation of their Health Passport.

 

7.    The Panel were advised that it would be useful if the Health Passport could be shared with Foster Carers.

8.    The Practice Manager, LAC Service explained that the age threshold nationally for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was 17. However, in Central Bedfordshire this was applied at the age of 14.

 

9.    The Panel noted that the SDQ average score for CBC LAC children had decreased by 1.3% in 2017/18 to 11.9%. A request was made for the data to broken down into gender and under and over 11’s to give the Panel a greater understanding of the figures being presented.

 

NOTED

 

the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Looked After Children’s Health Annual Report Central Bedfordshire Council.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: