Agenda item

To receive submissions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance in accordance with the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for Overview and Scrutiny.

In accordance with the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for Overview and Scrutiny the following question was submitted by Mr Pickersgill, a resident of Bracknell Forest:

Bracknell has a serious problem with substance abuse and mental illness which I find myself increasingly impacted by as I go about my daily business.*  In addition disability assessments are in chaos with waiting times from 26-52 weeks.  It is estimated one third of drug addicts can be helped get off drugs and that there comes a time when intervention has an optimum effect. Unfortunately, in the cases I am familiar with, people with such problems have been pushed further into crisis by the way the welfare departments work. In particular, the expectation that totally dysfunctional people achieve deadlines, a refusal to make back payments (often to help budgets) and the almost default position of making claimants go to appeal which is often dropped before reaching tribunal stage.  This has increased the workload on already over-stretched departments and of course the CAB, which is about to lose one of its most experienced advisors.  Will the Director of Social Services whom I understand now has responsibility for welfare, undertake to look into this so that a much more joined up system can be achieved without the problems being passed from department to department or spilling out into society.

* I am sending a short paper later today with specific cases (not identifiable) which I have tried to assist. You can publish any or none of this paper as you see fit.

A written response was provided by Glyn Jones, Director of Adult Social Care, Housing and Health:

Disability assessments:

It is unclear what is meant by “”disability assessments are in chaos with waiting time from 26-52 weeks”, although it appears it may be in relation to assessment carried out by Department of Works and Pensions (DWP).   We are therefore unable to comment on this.

It also appears from the question that Mr Pickersgill’s concerns relate to the full range of welfare benefits.   The Council is responsible only for the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, within legislation as determined by Government, The Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing has communicated this separately to Mr Pickersgill.   Other benefits are administered by the Department of Works and Pensions.  

As such, the Council has no control over the timescales, waiting times or assessment processes of the DWP.

Mr Pickersgill alludes to specific concerns relating to people with mental ill health and those who misuse substances.  The following is background information relating to the support available for people in Bracknell who have needs arising from mental ill health or substance misuse.

The Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) supports people with substance misuse issues to stop, or reduce, using substances. For this to be effective, people must be willing to both recognise that they have a problem, and to engage with evidenced-based programmes designed to assist them.  

The range of services for people with mental ill-health includes services from GP surgeries, and from the Council in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT).   As above, these services can only be effective if people are able and willing to engage fully with the support and treatment offered.  

As for all people with eligible needs, people supported through all of these services will be offered support to claim benefits, and in their dealings with DWP.   However, as above, it is not within the power of the Council to change the benefits system as determined by National government.

It is inappropriate to make comment on the individual circumstances Mr Pickersgill has shared, but as further background information to reassure him and the public regarding the effectiveness of local mental health and substance misuse services, the following information is offered:-

Mental Health

A crucial element in addressing the impact of mental illness is effective diagnosis.  Many mental health conditions, and in particular depression, can remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated and unsupported.  To assess how well mental health problems are being picked up in an area we can compare the number of people diagnosed with depression with the number who report depression in anonymous surveys (the survey data traditionally shows a higher and more realistic prevalence than the numbers actually diagnosed).  In Bracknell Forest, the data suggests excellent diagnostic rates.  The number diagnosed with depression is significantly higher than the national average[1] despite the survey based prevalence being lower than the national average [2].

Another important element is of course the outcome of treatment.  In Bracknell Forest, the rate of recovery among those accessing talking therapies (IAPT) is significantly higher than the national average[3].  In addition, the rates of emergency admissions for depression, schizophrenia and self-harm (which indicate poorly managed conditions) are all lower than the national average[4].

Beyond clinical condition, there are also good results in Bracknell Forest concerning social outcomes for people with mental health conditions.  For example, the proportion of people on the Care Programme Approach (CPA)[5] in employment is higher than the national average, as is the proportion of people on CPA who are in settled accommodation[6].

Substance Misuse

Substance misuse treatment is a challenging area and it is crucial that high quality services are provided to avoid poor outcomes and high drop-out rates.  A particularly important indicator is therefore whether those that access services go on to successfully complete their treatment.  In Bracknell Forest, the successful completion rate is the highest in Berkshire and significantly better than the national average[7]. 

In relation to alcohol, emergency admissions to hospital for alcohol related problems are a good indicator of the number of people drinking at high levels without proper treatment or support.  Bracknell Forest has a rate of emergency admissions related to alcohol that is significantly lower than the national average[8], with data published this week showing that admissions for alcoholic liver disease in Bracknell Forest have fallen dramatically in the last year and are now both the lowest in Berkshire and significantly lower than the national average[9].

In response to a Member’s question  the Chief Officer: Adults & Joint Commissioning said that a Common Assessment Form was not used for adult social care, but training was provided for front line staff on mental health awareness, and officers would notify mental health staff or the Police of incidents of mentally distressed people.