Agenda item

To provide an update on the development and implementation of an Initial Response Service (IRS) across Blackpool and the Fylde coast to support people in crisis as part of the community model. The aim of the service is to provide a responsive single point of access for urgent and routine requests for help, including signposting to relevant services. The intention is that by April 2022 each Locality / Integrated Care Partnership will have the IRS service in place.

Ms Joanna Stark, Director of Operations, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) and Ms Louise Giles, Deputy Director of Transformation, LSCFT provided a presentation on the new Initial Response Service (IRS) to the Committee and highlighted how the proposals would transform care for patients. The aim of the service was to provide a single point of contact and access to mental health services.

The Committee welcomed the work undertaken to date and noted its considerable size. The complexities of the population of Blackpool were highlighted and it was queried how the service would ensure it could meet the needs of the residents. In response, Ms Giles advised that the service had been modelled on all calls to be received with capacity built in for unmet demand and the impact of covid. She advised that partners from across Blackpool had been involved in the development of the service in order to ensure that provision was reflective of need. It was reported that a soft launch to the service would take place in order to assess pathways, processes, systems and call handler etiquette. Intensive training would be held for all staff in order to create the right team ethos.

In relation to the single point of access in each of the four separate localities, Members queried how LSCFT could ensure that a consistent approach was taken across all services and that patients received an equality of service across the whole region. In response, Ms Giles noted that the voluntary sector in particular varied significantly in each locality and that it would be important for staff to have a good understanding of the different provision in the voluntary sector in order to refer patients to the most appropriate place should they not meet the criteria for the IRS. She added that that an asset map of provision was being developed and that the aim of the service was to meet the differing needs of the population in each locality.

In response to further questions, Ms Giles advised that significant funding had been received and a large proportion of that was being used to support the voluntary sector. The live data of the soft launch would be monitored closely for trends and transformation work would continue in order to address the level of demand. It was noted that any person in Blackpool would be eligible for crisis support from the service whether they were a resident or tourist.

In reference to the age range for the service, it was reported that it would be for all ages and that work was ongoing with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in order to develop appropriate links. All staff would be appropriately trained in responding to children and young people.

Members noted that there had already been a delay in launching the service in Blackpool and sought assurance that there would be no further delays. Ms Giles advised that some staff had already been recruited whilst others would transfer from existing service provision. There was a timeline in place for the recruitment to the remaining vacancies. There was no reason to believe that there would be any further delays. In response to further questions, it was noted that the patient could refer themselves, in addition to a carer or family member but that informed consent would always be sought from anyone calling on behalf of the patient.

The Committee noted the concerns regarding the timeline and potential for delay and requested that a brief update be provided as part of the report to be received at the meeting on 31 March 2022 on mental health services covering progress made in identifying premises, recruitment and capacity of services. A further specific report would be received once the service was operating.