Agenda item

To receive the enclosed briefing note/presentation followed by an opportunity for discussion and member questions.

The Committee received and discussed a presentation from representatives of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) updating on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Summary of main points raised:

1. The presentation had been circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting.  The key areas covered by the presentation were:

a. Transformation update: the long term, 5 year plan (and additional £1.4m investment) to expand mental health services for children and young people through:

- Increasing access to services.

- Developing mental health support teams in schools.

- Increasing community eating disorder services.

- Expanding CAMHS crisis services.

- Improving the transition to adult services.

b. Update on CAMHS access rates.

c. Update on mental health support teams.

d. Update on eating disorders and the demand for support.

e. Update on the asylum refugee clinic.

f. Equalities, diversity and inclusion data.

g. Update on Riverside CAMHS in-patient unit.

2. In response to questions, it was noted that CAMHS was committed to equalities and diversity and was actively seeking to improve representation in its workforce from black and ethnic minoritised groups.  There was now a particular focus on ensuring the embedding of a positive action recruitment approach to support increased diversity of the workforce, including higher paid roles.  Careful attention was also being paid to the placing of job advertisements to try to ensure that all communities were reached.  A full staff training programme around equalities and diversity was in place and this was being supported through a Royal College of Psychiatry Advancing Mental Health Equalities Project.

3. It was noted that a Quality Improvement Project was also in place, with the specific focus of improving access to CAMHS for black and ethnic minoritised communities.

4. In response to questions, it was noted that the average length of stay of individuals admitted to Riverside CAMHS in-patient unit was in line with the national average; the exact length of stay inevitably varied depending on the complexity of each individual case.  It was also noted that:

- refurbishment of the Riverside building was completed in July 2021 (the unit had been expanded to be able to provide 12 in-patient beds and 4 day patient places).

- due to the investment in community CAMHS services, the regional demand for inpatient beds had significantly reduced with young people now better able to be treated at home.

- where required, access to a general adolescent bed was available without delay.

- a BNSSG ICB Business Case had been developed for a new Tier 3+ service serving Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

5. It was noted that approx. 10,000 children and young people were accessing CAMHS across the full BNSSG area; there were more specific and detailed metrics ‘beneath’ this figure for the Bristol area, for example in relation to referrals for urgent support.

6. In terms of schools, it was noted that 4.5 mental health support teams were supporting Bristol schools identified as ‘high need’ by Public Health.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that all children looked after will have access to CAMHS as required.

The Committee RESOLVED:

- To note the above update and information.