There were no apologies for absence

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests

The minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

The Chair said at the last meeting, this Panel agreed to ask the Department for Work and Pensions to attend and discuss the viability of pop-up assessment centres in Merton. They have subsequently refused the invitation, therefore this matter will be pursued through political channels.

The Director of Commissioning at Merton Clinical Commissioning Group (MCCG) gave an overview of the report and said there were challenges with the previous service including many were not able to see a therapist within six weeks and there was some under- representation from certain groups. A new service had been commissioned and will begin from 1^st April.

In response to questions from Panel members the Director of Commissioning reported that:

·         They will engage with under-represented groups by providing targeted engagement materials , recognising that the stigma around mental health is a major contributory factor. They will also ensure service is accessible for those in East Merton

·         The service will attempt to identify carers and support them to access the service they also developing further services for older people and those recovering from cancer. 

·         The CCG will double the funding from April, this is to redress low funding from past and meet the new targets. The service will also be able to cope with extra demand as St George’s is an experienced and resilient provider.

A Panel said mental health issues can be exacerbated by long term health conditions, GPs should routinely ask people to use IAPT service and actively work to reduce dependence on anti-depressants. The Director of Commissioning said they will aim to embed this approach going forward and there will be greater integration with primary care. The new IAPT service will also target men under 40 as they have a high suicide rate.

The Director of Public Health gave an overview of the report highlighting that production of this strategy is this is a statutory duty of the Health and Well being Board(HWBB). As this refresh is prepared and the HWBB members are thinking about the priorities, Panel members are asked to involve communities in the discussion. Emerging issues include improving mental health and bringing older and young people together, The draft strategy will be discussed at the HWBB in March.

A Panel asked for the Strategy to clearly indicate when it relates to Type 2 diabetes rather than Type 1 and highlighted that in regards to wellbeing it is difficult to find a job  advertised at 4 days a week. The Director of Public Health said the council is having discussions on these issues, we do have a flexible working policy in place but some services will find this easier than others. We can also challenge stereotypes on productivity with the latest available evidence.

A panel member said poverty is a barrier to living well. The Director of Public Health said the council will focus on improving the levers we can influence, good housing is an important mechanism to improve health and wellbeing.

A Panel member said loneliness amongst older people a big problem, if organisations disappear they will not be able to support these groups. Local residents are able to attend sessions for exercise and healthy food. They asked for continued support for these groups.

A Panel member said there is extensive space in Mitcham which is not being utilised. The Director of Public Health said the Canons Leisure Centre won a lottery grant for regeneration to encourage activity and social connection.

There will also be designing the Merton mile in Figgs Marsh, to be launched in April to make best use of space. 

Resolved

The Director of Public Health was thanked for the report

Panel members were asked to share the survey about Health and Wellbeing Strategy priorities with their communities, using the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/D9TZRBG

The Assistant Director of Adult Social Care introduced the report and said the focus of their work is on keeping people in their own homes, there is the preventative nature of the work as well as crisis and re-ablement provision.

A panel member asked what support is given to library volunteers and if extra training is provided should it be required. The Assistant Director of Adult Social Care said libraries rely on the support of volunteers which is a community asset, training including developing IT skills is provided to volunteers . The Director of Community and Housing added that we use a range of national grants to run projects with employed experienced staff , volunteers are valued and no undue burdens are placed upon them.

Panel members asked about the future of day centres and lunch clubs. The Assistant Director of Adult Social Care said we have five day centres and 21 lunch clubs which are vibrant and well attended and some have waiting lists. Woodlands day centre has a capacity of 40 but only 20 attend. All in-house day centres daily attendance figures are in decline, no decisions have been made about the future of the provision at this stage but a review is due to take place.

The Director of Community and Housing added that they recognise the value of lunch clubs and will be conducting a review to determine the long term sustainability of these services.

A panel member said it is important to identify people when they have a first fall to prevent further incidents and refer people to support services. The Director of Public Health said the current service only reaches those who are high risk, the fire service are trained to spot hazards. The Assistant Director of Adult Social Care said Mascot telecare can use bed sensors for vulnerable people and have links with GP surgeries and other services.

RESOLVED

Officers were thanked for their report and attendance at the Panel.

The Panel noted the work programme.