Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report, together with background papers, relating to a review of a decision made by the Executive Board on 11^th February 2011 in relation to a proposal to decommission a Non-Statutory Mental Health Counselling Service known as the Leeds Crisis Centre.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Copy of completed Call-In request form

·   Report of the Director of Adult Social Services

·  Copy of the  Equality Impact Assessment – Leeds Crisis Centre

·  Relevant extract of Executive Board Minutes of 11^th February 2011

The decision had been called-in for review by Councillors G Latty, P Latty, M Lobley, J Matthews, M Robinson and R Wood on the grounds that consultation had not been as wide or through as it should have been and whether or not all options were considered.

Councillors G Latty and J Matthews attended the meeting and gave evidence to the Board as to why they had called this item in and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The following representatives were also in attendance:-

Paul Truswell, representing Leeds LINk

Jeremy Pritlove representing Save Leeds Crisis Centre

Philomena Corrigan (Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning) –NHS Leeds

Councillor L Yeadon, Executive Member, Adult Health and Social Care

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services

John Lennon, Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion), Adult Social Services

In summary, the main points raised by Councillor G Latty, Councillor J Matthews, Paul Truswell and Jeremy Pritlove were:-

·  The need to reconsider the Executive Board decision to close the Leeds Crisis Centre

·  The concerns expressed regarding the inadequate consultation and the need to give Adult Social Care more time to consult and engage with service users and staff

·  The proposed timeline for closure and the seemingly absence of alternative provision

·  The ‘unique’ status of the Leeds Crisis Centre and the model of care provided at the Crisis Centre  which was a social model rather than a medical model

·  The need for a clear defined pathway for referrals to be introduced to avoid closure

·  Clarification of the details contained within the Impact Assessment report

·  The absence of any consideration of a reduced service within the Centre

In explaining the reasons for the Executive Board decision, the Executive Member, Adult Health and Social Care; Director of Adult Social Services and the Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion), Adult Social Services made specific reference to the following main comments:-

•   Statistical evidence regarding patient throughput, referral routes and outcomes

·  The need to make severe financial cuts within Adult Social Services resulting from the agreed 2011/12 Budget

·  The view expressed that service users would have access to alternative provision  should the Centre be disbanded

The Chair also invited Philomenia Corrigan, (Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning) – NHS Leeds to comment on the proposals from the NHS Leeds perspective.

The Chair then invited questions and comments from Board Members to; Philomenia Corrigan; Councillor L Yeadon and officers.

Following this process, the Chair allowed the Call-In signatories, Paul Truswell and Jeremy Pritlove  to sum up.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked Councillors G Latty, J Matthews, together with Paul Truswell  Jeremy Pritlove, Philomenia Corrigan, Councillor L Yeadon and officers for their attendance and contribution to the call in meeting.

RESOLVED- That the report and information provided be noted.

(Councillor V Kendall joined the meeting at 10.10am during discussions of the above item)