Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26^th April, 2018 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.  

Briefing note of the Director of Public Health and Wellbeing

The Board considered a report of Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, which provided an update on progress with the Suicide Prevention Strategy (‘Not one more/ one is enough’) which had been approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board at their meeting on 28^th November, 2016; informed of the proposed year two implementation actions for the Coventry Suicide Prevention Multi-Agency Steering Group; and outlined the progress and proposals for suicide prevention funding in the Coventry and Warwickshire STP footprint. A copy of the strategy was set out at an appendix to the report.

Councillor Abbott, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, attended the meeting for the consideration of this item along with Aisha Minhas, Dr Richard Onyon GP and Justine Richards, all Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT), Alex Cotton, It Takes Balls to Talk (CWPT) and Steven Hill, MIND.

The report indicated that the strategy was designed to harmonise with the aims and approaches of the West Midlands Mental Health Commission and with the strategic aims of Warwickshire. Coventry had adopted a zero suicide goal based on the understanding that suicide was preventable in the overwhelming number of cases. Coventry’s approach was based on Department of Health 2012 guidance; the Canadian Suicide Safer Community model of gatekeeper/ sentinels who can identify risk and intervene; and a locally appropriate approach rooted in Marmot.

The Board were informed of the key highlights for the year one strategic priorities which were the establishment of an active multi-agency steering group; hosting two workshops to share best practice, local data and local excellence; supporting an event at a Wasps Home match for World Suicide prevention day; facilitating the training of 50 champions and volunteers in level one suicide prevention; planning Suicide awareness training for members; developing online training for Council staff; and working with Network Rail to reduce the risk around an identified hotspot. 

The report provided information on the audit of all the paper Coroner records where the cause of death was noted as suicide in Coventry from January to December 2017. The data showed 30 recorded deaths in the city during this period which was significantly lower than the national average across England. Of these, most were male, reflecting the national picture. The highest risk age bracket was 32-41. The Board noted that ethnicity was very poorly recorded making analysis in this area impossible.

Nearly half of the individuals had visited their GP in their last six months and these visits may have been cries for help so it was recommended that work to undertaken with GPs to ensure that they were able to spot the signs that someone could be suicidal. The Board were informed that 60% of the victims had a previous mental health concern.

Detailed information was provided on recent events and activities for the ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ project, a community interest group which trained volunteers to engage men at sporting events in meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board considered their work programme for the new municipal year, which included items carried forward from the previous year. The briefing note also set out the items put forward for possible inclusion in the Board’s work programme from the All Member Informal Scrutiny Meeting on 18^th June, 2018.

The Board were informed of the need for an additional meeting and workshop to be held in September to consider Adult Social Care.

It was suggested that a Task and Finish Group be set up to consider issues around mental health and Councillors Gannon and Hetherton expressed an interest in serving on this Group. Councillor Kershaw reported that he would soon be in a position to report back to the Board with 3 to 4 recommendations from the Social, Emotional and Mental Health in Schools Task and Finish Group.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The items identified at the All Member Informal Scrutiny meeting on 18th June, 2018 be included on the Board’s work programme for the current year.

(2) Arrangements be put in place for a workshop and an additional meeting of the Board to be held in September to consider Adult Social Care.

(3) The work programme be approved.

(4) A Task and Finish Group be established to look at aspects of mental health, still to be determined, comprising Councillor Gannon and Hetherton and several other Councillors.     

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no additional items of urgent public business.