Apologies were given for Councillor Dave Callaghan, Marion Harper and Samantha Edwards – Special Advisers, and from Ms Judy Wilson, Chief Executive South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust (SWLSTG MHT).

The Chair introduced members of the committee to the audience.

Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2009.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2009 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was noted that there were some actions still pending from the last meeting.

This is a brief running order for this item:

·        Introductions (10 minutes)

·        History: scene setting (10 minutes)

·        Relationships and joint working (15 minutes)

·        Community concerns (20 minutes)

·        Primary mental health care (20 minutes)

·        Mental Health facilities in the borough (secondary care) (30 minutes)

·        Personalisation and recovery (secondary care) (20 minutes)

·        Findings, resolutions, recommendations and information requests (10 minutes)

Papers attached include:

Expert witnesses:

Judy Wilson Chief Executive, SWLSTG MHT

Mark Clenaghan – Borough Director - SWLSTG MHT

Gill Moore, General Manager, Adult Community Services - SWLSTG MHT

Stuart Adams, Consultant Psychiatrist - SWLSTG MHT

Alison Beck, Associate Director for Psychology & Psychotherapies - SWLSTG MHT

Marion Ruttley – Previous Wallington Resource Centre Action Group

Bob Mayfield and Marilyn Burbage – Cheam Resource Centre Action Group

Ken Fish – Carers Action Group

Adrian Davey – Asst Director - S&MPCT

Stephen Evans – S&MPCT

David Jones – LINK (Sutton MH Foundation)

Adi Cooper – Strategic Director, ASSH

Shaun O’Leary – Executive Head Learning Disabilities

Inspector Warren Shadbolt – Head of Safer Sutton Partnership

Councillors Myfanwy Wallace and Ruth Dombey (as previous chairs of Health Scrutiny Committee)

 Richard Gorf – Joint Commissioning Manager

Witnesses invited to speak to this item included:-

Mark Clenaghan – Borough Director - SWLSTG MHT

Gill Moore - General Manager, Adult Community Services - SWLSTG MHT

Stuart Adams, Consultant Psychiatrist - SWLSTG MHT

Alison Beck, Assoc. Director for Psychology & Psychotherapies - SWLSTG MHT

Debbie Brough – Day Services Manager, SWLSTG MHT

Marion Ruttley – Previous Wallington Resource Centre Action Group

Bob Mayfield – Sutton Day Care

Marilynne Burbage and Ken Fish – Carers Action Group

Adrian Davey – Asst. Director - S&MPCT (Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust)

Audrey McDonnell – Asst. Director Joint Commissioning S&MPCT

David Jones – Sutton LINK (Sutton Mental Health Foundation)

Adi Cooper – Strategic Director, Adult Social Services and Housing (ASSH)

Shaun O’Leary – Executive Head Learning Disabilities and Mental Health

Inspector Warren Shadbolt – Head of Safer Sutton Partnership

Councillors Myfanwy Wallace and Ruth Dombey (as previous chairs of Health Scrutiny Committee), and

Richard Gorf – Joint Commissioning Manager.

History – Scene Setting

Section 136 Provision

Superintendent Warren Shadbolt explained that in 2006 the police referred, to this committee, their concerns about the transportation of people detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.  Section 136 deals with the situation when a person in a public place is in immediate need of care and considered to be of danger to themselves or others.  The police have the authority to remove that person to a place of safety to enable observation for up to 72 hours for assessment as to whether that person still needed to be detained under the Mental Health Act. 

The unit at Sutton Hospital had been refurbished and was purpose designed to take people detained under S136.  Superintendent Shadbolt tabled a photograph of the back of a police van, used to transport detainees, to illustrate how unsuitable they were except for very short distances.  The nearest unit was at Tolworth which accepted patients from five boroughs.  From September 2008 to April 2009, 191 detainees had been admitted to Tolworth from the five boroughs, including Sutton.  St Helier Hospital did not admit S136 detainees through Accident and Emergency (A&E).  Other A&E departments have refused S136 detainees because of staff shortages or if considered to be drunk.  On occasions, when Tolworth was full, it meant extremely long journeys, in transport considered to be unsafe for the detainee.  They could then end up being returned and detained back at a police station, which is considered to be a place of safety but not suitable for somebody showing the characteristic behaviour that triggered the use of the S136 power.   

In response to member questions Superintendent Shadbolt reported that:

·        At least 20 S136 detainees were recorded on custody records as having been detained at the police station from September 2008 to April 2009. 

·        He couldn’t confirm the date of the Sutton unit closure but it was over a year ago.  A new unit was planned but not given the go-ahead due to lack of resources. 

·        Detainees may have minor injuries  ...  view the full minutes text for item 437.

a)     Merton, Sutton and Surrey Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

Merton, Sutton and Surrey Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

The Chair reported that the minutes of this meeting would be available, shortly, for circulation.

Including that of members, brought forward at the direction of the Chair, who has approved the reason for the urgency.

There was no urgent business.

            Resolved: To note the workplan.

To note that future meetings for the municipal year are:

9 July 2009, 15 October 2009, 3 December 2009, 4 February 2010 and 22 April 2010.

To note that the 9 July 2009 meeting falls on the same day as the PCT Board meeting which will affect what can go on the agenda.

Resolved: To note that the next meeting would be held on 9 July 2008, 7.30pm, at Civic Offices, Sutton.