The Chairperson welcomed
Rosemary Whittle, Head of Operations and Delivery Community Child
Health Directorate and Dr Tracy Gardiner, Clinical Director CAMHS
Network to the meeting to provide a briefing and update on the
CAMHS services as provided by Cardiff and Vale University Health
Service, in particular the following elements of that
service:
- Emotional Wellbeing
Service (EWS);
- Primary Mental Health
Services (incorporating Mental Health Measure – Part
1);
- Neurodevelopmental
Service (NDS);
- Secondary CAMHS (Cwm
Taf provider).
The Chairperson invited
questions and comments from Members:
- Members queried
whether there is enough support from other organisations to deal
with the early intervention and support those with milder needs and
were advised that there is a lot of collaborative work with
3rd sector organisations.
However, it was accepted that stress, anxiety and emotional upset
in young people is an ever-growing issue with children and it is
important to intervene at the right time. A map providing
information as to who and what service to contact would be of
benefit.
Members were advised that it is believed that it is the number
of children rather than gaps in provision which need to be
addressed. There had been concerns that
the EWS would be overwhelmed, and it is fair to say that there are
still some potential gaps in the referral, assessment and support
process for early years. The Health Board is trying, through its
planning process, to identify those gaps and feed them into the
next planning stage
- Members were advised
that there was a specific tendering process prior to Change, Grow
Live being commission, they are a national organisation involved in
substance misuse and emotional wellbeing based in
Cardiff.
- Members were advised
that the point of the EWS was to try and avoid the stigmatisation
of children and young people by allowing them to self-refer or for
schools to refer. Further with EWS the
policy is that there is ‘no wrong door’ as there can be
discussions about other routes/services available.
- Members raised
concern that the telephone number provided to contact the team
during the night time was the Switch Board at UHW and queried
whether there should be a dedicated phone number. Officers advised that the Crisis Team could be
contacted via UHW if it was a serious crisis, if not EWS would
endeavour to contact the young person as soon as possible however,
did feel that it should be considered further.
- Members were advised
that the extra funding from the Health Board and Welsh Government
was permanent.
- Members queried the
figure of 596 referrals to the NDS since 1 June and were advised
that that was an accurate figure. Previously the numbers may not
have been clear as all referrals went directly to Community
Paediatrics. Members expressed
concerns regarding capacity bearing in mind numbers, and officers
advised that whilst a small team, there is still the Community
Child Health Team providing team.
Collaborative support is very necessary.
- Members were advised
that it is clear that the diagnosis process should be shorter, and
it is anticipated that when a child is involved with different
teams, all information should be collated and should be available
for the Consultant at the time of the meeting with the
child.
- Members requested
information as to how many of the 596 referrals would be from
GP’s and how many from the schools. Officers advised that the
majority of the referrals are from GP’s, however regardless
of where the referral comes from the school is always
contacted. Officers also advised that
both the NDS and PMH Coordinator are based at St David’s and
can always be contacted.
AGREED – That the Chairperson on behalf
of the Committee writes to the Head of Operations and Delivery
Community Child Health Directorate thanking them for attending the
meeting and convey the observations of the Committee when
discussing the way forward.