Gwen Kennedy, Director of Client Group Commissioning (CCG) and Tamsin Hooton, Director of Service Redesign (CCG) will present the papers circulated on Talking Therapy Services changes.
Minutes:
8.1 The chair invited Gwen Kennedy, Director of Client Group Commissioning , Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Rabia Alexander; Head of Mental Health (CCG), to present the papers circulated.
8.2 A member asked if there would be any anticipated reduction in the overall budget spent on the service. The Head of Mental Health said there would be additional budget. There will be more focus on increased access as the service had indentified gaps in existing provision for young people aged 16 to 18 years, older people drinking at home and Black and Ethnic Minority communities. The service also want to improve provision for people with long term conditions , eating disorders and dual diagnosis. There will be work with churches to increase outreach and provision to the BME communities. The services also have to meet targets.
8.3 A member asked how the service will be restructured to meet the needs of older people and BME communities. The Head of Mental Health explained that there will be work with churches to increase outreach and provision to the BME communities and this will include work with Pastors and there will also be a ‘Help Bus’ where people can access provision. Another member asked who would be the losers and the Head of Mental Health explained that the CCG have quality issues on GP counselors. There will be a change in provision at doctors surgeries and in the future people will need to go to local hubs, but the quality will improve. She said that the feedback the CCG have received from paitents is that people are prepared to travel if the provision is better.
8.4 The Director of Client Group Commissioning explained that there will be a streamlined process in terms of access. A member asked if existing providers could lose out and the Director of Client Group Commissioning said that current providers are at risk; they could lose out through the procurement exercise. She said there will be consortium bids involving current providers and there will be a bidder’s day. They are all on board with the single point of access. The Head of Mental Health commented that they expect the bids to be IAPT and NICE compliant.
8.5 A member asked about public engagement and the Head of Mental Health said that so far feedback from consultation has identified inequality around service provision and that people can use – for example some people can not access family therapy. There will be another event and also there is an online survey. A member commented that the engagement looks good and the Director of Client Group Commissioning agreed and explained the CCG have been doing extensive engagement including talking to people who do not use services, including asked why people have disengaged.
8.1 A member queried the increased access, given the number of practices offering counseling will actually be going down. He said while he understand the case being made that services will actually be concentrated he was concerned that there will be a pruning of provision. The Head of Mental Health responded that the service will be working with people to ensure there is an adequate space to access thereapy - this could be in a hub, at home or on a bus. The member went on to question if the ‘ most effective use of resources’ meant a reduction in resources and the Head of Mental Health assured members that there would be more overall spent and that CCG have done an audit and more will be spent on delivery rather than management . The Director of Client Group Commissioning said that therapy will be offered at the right level; currently people are accessing high level qualitative treatment that they do not need. She said that often people are not on the right level and then they are less likely to complete.
8.2 A member asked how many people would be treated and the Director of Client Group commissioning commented they the CCG want substantial access but there are negotiations which will affect the outcome and resources available, for example the rent paid to GPs. A member voiced concerns over the lack of detail on this.
RESOLVED
The CCG will provide feedback form community engagement meetings and come back after the elections.