Councillor Brookbank advised that Kent County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) had been looking at the service provided by CAMHS and Children’s services.  There had been a problem with contracts but a report on progress would be brought back to the HOSC in September with an update.

Members noted that services for mental health were improving and time taken for diagnosis was reducing.  It was not uncommon for a diagnosis to take up to 2 years.  Members discussed whether a representative from CAMHS should be invited to speak to the Committee and agreed that a member of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) should be invited to speak. 

It was agreed that the Chief Officer Communities and Business should contact some of the voluntary organisations who work with those with Autism to provide them with information on grants available through the Council.

Action 2: Chief Officer Communities and Business invite a Member of the CCG to speak to the Board about Mental Health services.

Action 3: Chief Officer Communities and Business contact voluntary organisations who work with those with Autism to provide information on grants available through the Council.

The Chairman advised that Councillor Searles had to leave early and would provide a written report to be circulated.

Councillor Brookbank advised that a new Health and Wellbeing Strategy would be presented to the next HOSC meeting.  He also advised that fewer women were using the maternity services at Crowborough as many were using the facilities at Pembury Hospital. 

Councillor Davison informed the Board that there were two main issues discussed at HOSC; the concerns surrounding CAMHS and the processing of contracts but also patient transport services.  The system was making progress in comparison to the problems raised last year.

Councillor Mrs. Cook advised that she had attended a West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board meeting who were clarifying their responsibilities and the areas that were covered by the Board.  There were concerns that there was a lack of understanding about partnership working.  Mental Health was also discussed.  She would also be attending a meeting with members of Patient Participation Groups.

The Chief Officer Communities and Business advised that the link to the latest data on health inequalities would be circulated.  Interesting figures for the District related the higher than average numbers of hip fractures and emergency admissions.  In general data for the District it was better than the national average but in some small areas of the District, statistics were higher than the national average.

Action 4: Chief Officer Communities and Business circulate the link to the latest data on health inequalities.

Falls prevention for the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group was a priority.  A further report on child obesity would be completed, and the work plan would include items such as demographical changes, increasing older people and immigration.

The Chairman advised Members of concerns raised by a Councillor over ambulance transportation.  It was agreed that it would be interesting to hear from the service.  Members noted that if they wanted to scrutinise the service, however, then concerns should be raised with the Council’s Scrutiny Committee.  It was noted that the Council did support community transport with grants but groups found it a challenge to recruit drivers due to increasing pressures.

There was a new Manager for the Children Centres.  Councillor Clark had attended a meeting  where concerns were raised that there were problems in targeting the right people to benefit from the Children’s Centres’ work.