A verbal update by Councillor Hilton (Chairman).

The Chairman gave Members a verbal update on the progress of the DAAT Task & Finish Groups work.

The Chairman explained that at the meeting on the 27 October 2015 the Panel had been given a presentation on proposals for a full review of the DAAT and that this review would be undertaken by a Task and Finish Group.  It was noted that this group was being chaired by Councillor Carroll and included other Councillors, a number of key stakeholders including Dr Kirstin Ostle, GP representing WAM, Inspector Mike Darrah, Thames Valley Police, Dr Lise Llewellyn, Director Public Health Berkshire and a number of Council officers.

Members were informed that the Task & Finish Group terms of reference included:

1.  Benchmarking service outcomes.

2.  Reviewing best practice.

3.  Developing options for future service delivery.

4.  Assessing risk of options and mitigation.

5.  Consultation on options.

6.  Conducting Crime and Disorder and Health Impact Assessments of options.  

The Chairman went onto explain that the plan was to formulate options for future service delivery for the consideration of Cabinet. 

It was noted that the Chairman had attended many of the Task and Finish meetings and had been impressed not only by the engagement of stakeholders but by the quality and depth of the discussions that had taken place.  Members were informed that the process had included meetings with Public Health England, Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust on mental health issues and importantly users of the DAAT service provided by SMART.

The Chairman commended the Public Health Programme Manager & DAAT Manager and Commissioner, Claire Gomm, who headed the DAAT for her dedication in preparing many detailed papers for the Task & Finish group and for her openness and clarity in responding to questions and helping to guide the debate.

The Clerk was asked to minute the Chairman’s commendation.  

Members were informed that the benchmarking exercise had been completed with the following headlines:

• Overall, in terms of prevalence and complexity factors, the needs of the Royal Borough appeared to be less than those of Slough and Reading, similar to those in West Berkshire but largely higher than those of Wokingham and Bracknell.
• Performance in the Royal Borough around successful completions of adult services users has compared well to the other Berkshire authorities, with the September 2015 data placing RBWM second for the non-opiate and alcohol cohorts and third for the combined alcohol and non-opiate cohort. There were some improvements to be gained in the opiate cohort.
• Performance around ‘in treatment’ benefits which sought to demonstrate the positive gains experienced before people exited formal treatment showed that RBWM compared well to national averages.
• Finally, the Young People’s service was described, as demonstrating the balance of one to one ‘treatment’ work carried out as well as the prevention work.  It was noted that the service performed well compared to the other Berkshire services, with the highest rates of planned exits for young people in service, in 2014/15.
• When considering costs the Borough’s budget was the joint third highest in Berkshire.  It was noted that the Royal Borough had the third highest estimated drug user population, the third highest number in treatment and the third highest rate of alcohol admissions.  The Chairman explained that on balance the Royal Borough compared well with the other Berkshire Unitaries.
• Using the benchmarking information a consultation survey was developed on the SMART and prescribing services with a separate consultation on Young People’s services, which seemed to have a greater focus on prevention and questions covered a broad range from stakeholder priorities to measures of success.  Members were informed that once the results had been analysed the Task and Finish group would focuses on developing options for the service which would be presented to Cabinet.

The Chairman informed the Panel that the Task & Finish Group were next due to meet on the 9 February 2016.

The Chairman went onto explain that Members might be interested to learn Physcoactive Substances Act 2016 would come into force on the 6th April 2016.  It was noted that this act was passed to combat what was widely known as legal highs.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

Ø  That replies to the survey would be chased up by the Public Health Programme Manager & DAAT Manager and Commissioner.

Ø  That the data from service user replies was currently being collated.

Ø  That more could be done with GP’s around early intervention for people at risk.