Agenda item

6.1

Pam Enderby, Chair of Healthwatch Sheffield, submitted a report detailing the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Engagement Event of the 24^th July, facilitated by Healthwatch Sheffield, on Mental Health. The report contained a write up of findings, recommendations, methodology and a full set of responses.

6.2

Pam Enderby commented that the event was very successful with more than 80 people in attendance, 60% of which had been service users either at present or in the near past. Discussions were held on ten areas that had been highlighted via other routes as causing a concern in Sheffield and these were highlighted in the report.

6.3

The comments at the event were reported in full in the report. Some people who were not able to attend in person were linked into the event through the web or Twitter.

6.4

It should be possible for some of the issues raised to be addressed in the short term. It was important to ensure services were joined up.

6.5

Not many carers who attended the event. Of those who did, many had said that they often felt excluded and found it difficult to access information and support.

6.6

Members of the Board made comments on the matters contained in the report and accompanying presentation, summarised as follows:-

·        More detailed analysis would be welcomed and information on how comments received could influence policy decisions in the future.

·        The Local Authority did invest in care and support. It was not clear whether something different needed to be done in respect of mental health care and support. Sheffield was at the forefront of this work a number of years ago and this should be checked to see how it related to current practice.

·        A report summarising the event and lessons learned should be circulated to providers and commissioners. It would be helpful to synthesise the information to establish what ‘quick wins’ could be achieved.

·        Mental health was still seen as a ‘cinderella’ service and treated as such. The joining up of health and social care services should help prevent this. Work needed to be done to ensure G.Ps talked to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

·        The ten key issues discussed at the event had been informed by evidence collected prior to the event. Not all the comments made were negative and comments were invited by those not able to attend the meeting through social media and the internet.

·      The difference between the reality of the service provided and people’s perception of a service should not be forgotten. People needed to feel that a service was right for them.

·        Those involved needed to look at how stakeholders could be influenced to make people feel well and priority should be given to assessing how employers treated and understood mental health issues.

·      Children did not always recognise where they were suffering mental health issues. The help and support needed to be in place as soon as possible and crisis treatment should be available immediately.

·      A pilot was taking place between the City Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group promoting a good environment for mental health and early support and diagnosis. The outcomes of which could be reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

6.7

Resolved that:

1. The Board notes the points of the report and will work proactively to translate people’s views into action, and requests that all actions are communicated back to the people who attended this event;

2. All future engagement events should include an appropriate number of service users to ensure sufficient representation from members of the public;

3. An update on the actions contained in the event’s report to be submitted to the Board within 12 months and Healthwatch Sheffield be requested to hold another engagement event (although not necessarily on the topic of mental health); and

4. The Board work with Healthwatch Sheffield to ensure that people remain involved and their views and experiences are used to help shape and improve services in the City.