Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report and accompanying presentation which provided an update on the integrated offer between Mersey Care and Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.  The report addressed the social needs of secondary care mental health patients to support delivery of the One Halton Living Well Strategic priorities. 

          The service was funded from NHS England via Community Mental Health Transformation monies and a three year contract was in place, with the option to extend for a further two.  The funding was intended to support the interface between primary and secondary mental health care, to transform delivery of care for adults with severe mental illness and those with complex needs.  

The service in Halton was run by a team which included two Mental Health Navigators; this was managed by Halton & St. Helens CVA but was embedded in the secondary care community teams and mental health in-patients units.  The service:

• Acts as a connector/sign-poster between health care professionals, VCFSE groups and local people; and
• Facilitates a voluntary sector mental health forum and builds an alliance of local VCFSE  sector providers that support engagement between mental health professionals and the sector.

The core outcomes and benefits of the service were outlined in the report which also highlighted the Mental Health Care Navigator Team achievements, performance and activity reports and identified some challenges.  In addition, some examples of service user stories and feedback were provided for noting. 

          RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.