Agenda item

The Committee considered a joint report of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, and Vita Health which provided an update on the overarching provision of mental health and early intervention services available locally. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 11’, is filed with these minutes.

The Committee welcomed to the meeting for this item David Williams, Group Director Strategy & Partnerships, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Alyson Taylor, Senior Mental Health and LD Transformation Lead, Integrated Care Board, Chris Harbron, Chief Operating Officer, Vita Health, and Brendan Street, Clinical Lead, Vita Health.

Arising from discussions the following points were noted:

(i)           Tackling mental health issues required a partnership approach involving different organisations. Step 1 initial support was provided by GPs and included use of self-help tools, lifestyle advice, or online resources. In addition to that, NHS Talking therapies supported people with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. Locally Talking Therapies was provided by Vita Health Group. People could access Talking Therapies mainly at one of two levels. Most people could start Step 2 support in around 9 days. Step 3 provided more specialist therapy and this could take longer because of higher demand and the need for more trained staff. The wait time was usually over 3 months. Members welcomed that the number of people waiting for Talking Therapy was falling and that the therapy appeared to be having a positive effect but expressed concerns about the wait times for the more specialist therapy. Members were pleased to note that Talking Therapy sessions were available face to face and not just over the phone/video link. It was acknowledged that not everybody had access to digital technology. The initial assessments undertaken with patients would identify which method would best suit their needs.

(ii)         The existing Talking Therapy service was not as beneficial for people with neurodiversity issues such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) therefore a new version of the Talking Therapy service was being developed specifically for people with ADHD. It was acknowledged that demand for this service would increase as more people were being diagnosed with ADHD.

(iii)        Members were invited to attend a Talking Therapies session and were advised to get in touch with Alyson Taylor to arrange a visit. Her contact details would be circulated after the meeting.

(iv)       Healthwatch reported that they had received feedback from patients that there were inconsistencies regarding the referral process for therapy and wait times depending on where in Leicestershire they were being referred from. It was agreed that Healthwatch and the Integrated Care Board would discuss this further after the meeting.

(v)         Isolation could be a contributing factor to mental health problems. Tackling the problem required input from not just the NHS but local authorities and community organisations as well. It was important that mental health problems were not just seen as a medical issue that could be solved with medication etc. A social and community-based approach could be just as beneficial. Medication helped tackle the symptoms of mental health issues but talking therapies and social interaction could help deal with the causes. The Joy mobile phone app was available for the public to use which offered social prescribing options amongst other things. The Committee had considered a report relating to tackling isolation and all the available services at its meeting on 5 March 2025 and as new Committee members may not have read the report it was agreed that it would be circulated to members after the meeting.

(vi)       Concerns were raised that the use of text messaging meant that people did not talk to each other on the phone or face to face as much. In response, this issue was acknowledged but it was pointed out that text messaging could be a positive as some people were more comfortable with it than other forms of communication. Young people in particular could find texting easier and more discreet and confidential than speaking to a health professional face to face or over the phone. The Chat Health confidential text messaging service enabled young people to have a text conversation with a nurse, mental health professional or health visitor.

(vii)      A lot of the mental health support in Leicestershire was provided by Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. Concerns were raised that the VCSEs did not have enough funding for mental health. In response reassurance was given that the NHS was investing a significant amount of funding in the voluntary sector. It was recognised that a collective approach was needed and there was great value in VCSE organisations. Talking Therapies worked closely with VCSE organisations, invited them to sessions and offered them training.

(viii)    Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland was the third highest performing area across the midlands for getting people back into work after severe mental illness. It was agreed that further details about this work would be circulated to members after the meeting.

(ix)       Discussion took place about whether there had been an increase in mental health issues amongst the population generally or whether this was the perception because there was more awareness and diagnosis and people were coming forward asking for help.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the update regarding mental health and early intervention services available locally be welcomed.