Issue - meetings

This report sets out the outcomes of the Mental Health Operating Model work, which has been undertaken in partnership with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) and NHS Brent CCG to develop a new assessment and care management model for community mental health services in Brent. It explains the thinking behind the new operating model and how it fits into the broader mental health system and the wider work on mental health improvement that is taking place in North West London. 

(i)         that the work of the Brent Mental Health Improvement Project to date be noted:

(ii)        that the emerging Brent community mental health service operating model be endorsed and approval given to the move towards implementation;

(iii)       that the move towards joint commissioning with Brent CCG of community mental health service teams and mental health services commissioned from the voluntary sector be endorsed;

(iv)       that approval be given to the extension of partnership arrangements with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust by entering into a 12 month partnership agreement under section 75 National Health Service Act 2006 for the delivery of mental health social care services;

(v)        that approval be given to an exemption from the usual requirements of Contract Standing Orders to carry out a tendering process in relation to High Value Contracts to permit the council to enter into the partnership agreement referred to in Recommendation (iv) for the good operational reasons set out in the report.

The report from the Strategic Director, Adults set out the outcomes of the Mental Health Operating Model work, which had been undertaken in partnership with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) and NHS Brent CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) to develop a new assessment and care management model for community mental health services in Brent. It explained the thinking behind the new operating model and its fit into the broader mental health system and the wider work on mental health improvement that was taking place in North West London.

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) in introducing the report, outlined the context referring to the recent Care Quality Commission inspection and the need for improved care coordination resource within the community mental health teams. Councillor Hirani highlighted proposals for the new operating model whose new structure would be based on a single point of access for all new referrals and also the establishment of a Brent Recovery Service delivering a range of functions including a “Staying Well Plan” for each service user being discharged. Future work would also include improved access to private housing, joint commissioning with the Clinical Commissioning Group, voluntary sector commissioning and improved partnership arrangements.

Members welcomed in particular the opportunity to improve integration and reduce fragmentation between services. They also looked forward to the introduction of a “Staying Well Plan”, involvement with Employment Support Services and training to help reduce isolation and joint commissioning.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the work of the Brent Mental Health Improvement Project to date be noted;

(ii)        that the emerging Brent community mental health service operating model be endorsed and approval given to the move towards implementation;

(iii)       that the move towards joint commissioning with Brent CCG of community mental health service teams and mental health services commissioned from the voluntary sector be endorsed;

(iv)       that approval be given to the extension of partnership arrangements with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust by entering into a 12 month partnership agreement under section 75 National Health Service Act 2006 for the delivery of mental health social care services;

(v)        that approval be given to an exemption from the usual requirements of Contract Standing Orders to carry out a tendering process in relation to High Value Contracts to permit the council to enter into the partnership agreement referred to in recommendation (iv) above for the good operational reasons set out in the report at paragraphs 3.52 and 3.53.