Agenda item

Claire Wright presented the report on improving mental health in-patient facilities in Derbyshire and was keen to receive the Committee’s views.

          In view of the increasing demand for mental health support, a number of conversations were being held around the requirements of the Five Year Forward View will would be implemented locally.  The report focused on local inpatient (hospital based) mental health services and on how to improve the local facilities currently available using national funding identified to ensure services provided locally were able to meet current national requirements.

          Acute mental health services in Derbyshire were provided by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust through two units: the Hartington Unit in Chesterfield (based on the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site) and the Radbourne Unit in Derby (based on the Royal Derby Hospital site).        Both provided care from old fashioned dormitory style facilities, with approximately four beds within a bay.  The estate did not comply with current regulatory and legislative requirements for single, en-suite accommodation and due to the significant level of investment required, these changes could not be funded by the local health care system.

          With support from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the Trust raised the need for national investment with NHS England and Improvement and had received a small level of investment allowing the development of business cases on how to move forward and develop services to meet the requirements.  The Trust was also expecting to receive national dormitory eradication funding to improve the services in Derbyshire.  The changes would need to be made at pace to improve privacy and dignity and the overall patient experience.

          Focus at national level was on the dormitory provision at both Derbyshire’s units.  Derby City HOSC had already been briefed and the intention to improve the facilities and would ensure the County HOSC was made aware of any changes to both units.  It was understood that the funding allocated for Derbyshire was slightly lower than initially expected, however it was still substantial.  Given this, the options would be reviewed to ensure the development could successfully progress within this financial envelope.

          There was no Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) facility within Derbyshire and patients have needed to travel outside of Derbyshire to access this service, which was not ideal for patients/carers and not in line with national guidance.  In addition to the planned development of the two new acute units, Derbyshire Healthcare had committed to separately funding the development of a PICU on the Kingsway Hospital site in Derby. 

          It was expected that the central funding for the eradication of dormitory accommodation would be utilised before the end of March 2024.  The Trust assured the Committee that both HOSC’s were aware of possible developments and engagement with stakeholders had taken place.  It was intended work alongside current and former patients, their carers and service user representatives to shape developments, making sure any new facilities met their needs and preferences.  This was seen as an overwhelmingly positive development that would greatly enhance the acute mental health care currently provided in Derbyshire.

          The Committee welcomed the report and were encouraged by the proposals. 

RESOLVED– thatthe report be noted.