To receive a presentation from the Chief Executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT).

The Committee received a presentation from Paul Scott (Chief Executive), Alex Green (Executive Chief Operating Officer) and Lynnbritt Gale (Partnership Director) of Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT), following the update made to the meeting on 11 October 2022 by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration with regard to mental health services provided by EPUT following the broadcast of the Channel 4 ‘Dispatches’ programme in October 2022. The Chief Executive and Accountable Officer for the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, Anthony Mckeever, was also in attendance at the meeting for this item.

Mr Scott provided a formal update on the plans of the Trust to address the concerns raised in the media and in respect of a number of areas of focus around local performance that had been set out in a briefing note that had been prepared at the request of the Chair of the Committee and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration. Members noted that the response of the Trust to the matters set out in the briefing note, which had been circulated with the agenda for the meeting.

The Committee was advised that the care and safety of patients was the main priority for EPUT and that the Trust had taken immediate action to ensure patient safety in the wards identified by the ‘Dispatches’ programme, including the provision of ward visits, staffing reviews and clinical reviews. Mr Scott reported that the Trust had commissioned a full internal inquiry in respect of the issues raised in the media and would continue to work with its regulators, safeguarding partners and partner organisations on the actions that were being taken in response. It was reported that, where the investigation had identified instances of potential misconduct, the Trust had instigated its conduct procedures.

Mr Scott also reported that enhanced management oversight and on-site presence was now in place and that a standalone process for the triage and handling of service user, family and carer contacts in relation to issues identified in the ‘Dispatches’ programme, had been implemented through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service and the Complaints Teams. The Committee was advised that, since January 2022, the Trust had appointed over 100 health care assistants (with over 60 enrolled on apprenticeships), but that there continued to be a lack of qualified mental health nurses across the country. At the request of the Committee, Mr Scott undertook to provide further detail around the apprenticeship levels for positions offered by the Trust.

The Chief Executive of EPUT advised the Committee that the new leadership team of the Trust had also focussed attention on its response to the recommendations arising from the health and safety prosecution in June 2021, working with the Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry and delivering its new ‘Safety First, Safety Always’ safety strategy, alongside the creation of a culture that was open and safe for everyone, whilst also seeking to manage staffing pressures and increasing demand for mental health services.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked Mr Scott and his colleagues for their informative and comprehensive presentation.

Resolved:

1.          That the ongoing response of Essex Partnership University NHS Trust to the matters identified in the ‘Dispatches’ programme of October 2022 and the current performance of the Trust, be noted.

2.          That the Trust be requested to make a further report on its performance to a future meeting of the Committee.

Note: This is a Scrutiny function