Agenda item

Mr Newland Anning, the Managing Director, Avon and Wiltshire NHS Partnership Trust (AWP), submitted a report updating the Committee on the performance and key issues relating to the organisation.  He commented on the consultation document, letter sent out to the Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups, the presentation used for the public event at the Pilgrim Centre on the 4^th April and to statistical data relating to Place of Safety activity across Wiltshire and Swindon’s Clinical Commissioning Groups.

 Councillor Brian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Health and Social Care referred to the Council’s response to the consultation.  He explained that as the next Full Council met after the end of the consultation period, a letter expressing the Council’s disquiet at the proposal to close Sandlewood Court was sent to Haley Richards, Chief Executive at Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Trust.  The Committee noted the content of the letter and Councillor Ford explained that further discussions would need to be undertaken with AWP to address issues arising from this proposal.  Mr Andrew Dean, Executive Director of Nursing responded to Councillor’s Ford comments by explaining the plans in place to ensure enhancement of services in Swindon. 

Following the introduction of the report, Mr Anning and Mr Dean responded to members’ questions and comments in respect of the following matters: 

·         The need for a local place of safety to cover the population size in Swindon.

·         That Place of Safety was an early and preventative care pathway and the work being undertaken to achieve safety for the patient by utilising the triage and crises teams.

·         The future of Sandlewood Court as part of a consolidation process providing the best service from resources available.  

·         The number of patients in Swindon detained under Section 136.

·         The effect on Swindon patients if they had to undertake treatment out of borough.

·         That 83% of patients that do not transfer to in-patient care and data reflected that Swindon patients would benefit from a local place of safety where assessments could be undertaken within timescales.  

·         Other suitable premises were unavailable in Swindon and no capital was available to purchase other buildings.

·         The assessment time to review a patient.

·         How patients were supported in the community after they were discharged and that only those needing to be admitted would be detained.

·         Collaborative work being undertaken with Great Western Hospital (GWH) and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that included having a permanent psychiatric nurse located in the Emergency Department at GWH.

·         The tripartite agreement between Swindon and Wiltshire CCG together with the Police Commissioner to look at preventative measures.

·         Sandlewood Court was not suitable to be adapted into a Place of Safety.

·         Delaying the completion of the consultation period until end of May.

·         There would be no adverse impact on Swindon Borough Council as all relevant staffing would be provided by AWP

            Resolved - (1) That the report be noted.

          (2) That Councillor Ford’s letter to Haley Richards, Chief Executive at Avon and Wiltshire Partnership Trust be circulated to all members of the Committee.