Agenda item

Report of Director of Public Health

Committee received an update report on the number of hospital admissions of children and young people (ages 10 to 24 years) as a result of self-harm.

It was reported that the Child Health Profile published in March 2017 showed that there were 189  admissions to hospital for self-harm in 2015/16. This was a slight increase from 2014/15 which was 179. Gateshead has the second highest rate for hospital admissions due to self-harm in the North East and in terms of statistical neighbours Gateshead has the fifth highest rate.

It was acknowledged that these rates are not per individual but rather per episode of admission. Therefore it is necessary to look at the quality of data because this could be influenced by local variation. It was noted that Public Health England has advised that there are concerns with regards to the quality of the data for this indicator.  It was noted that, for example, one person could have 25 episodes which would obviously skew data. It was also noted that how each hospital codes an admission requires further exploration.

In order to address self-harm Newcastle Gateshead CCG provided funding for training in schools for young people’s mental health, this was delivered across 13 schools. There has also been the introduction of mental health toolkits in schools. Following this training 85% of staff stated that their knowledge had been improves around the risk factors of self-harm. In addition the LSCB continues to provide level 3 training for people working with children and families.

It was reported that the contract for 0-19 public health services was awarded to Harrogate and District Foundation Trust, delivery of the service will commence on 1 July 2018. It was confirmed that the service will have a dedicated emotional resilience nurse to work with the 11-19 population, this will include families and schools.

Anna Freud workshops will be held for schools and mental health professionals to help them in their support of children and young people with mental health needs.

It was suggested that future updates on self-harm be included in the six monthly performance report with a deep dive in the next six months.

It was questioned as to the transition arrangements into the new 0-19 contract. It was acknowledged that this would not be easy but that the key thing was that the contract was staying in a Foundation Trust and not coming into the Council, there would also still be safeguarding leads from STFT.

It was queried as to the coding that hospitals use and how many of the admissions were failed suicides. It was confirmed that there are 20 plus codes which are very complicated, it was confirmed that the information regarding suicide attempts would not be able to be obtained. Committee was however advised that if there is any doubt around the motivation of a self-harm incident an emergency CYPS meeting is held and possibly referred through to Safeguarding.

The point was made that this data relates to up to 24 year olds, therefore transition into adult services is important in ensuring appropriate support.

It was questioned what is happening in Newcastle that is not happening in Gateshead as its numbers are lower. It was acknowledged that further analysis is needed into this, it could be  that Gateshead may have more admissions per individual.  The point was made that an action plan cannot be developed if the data is insufficient, however it was accepted that it is more about understanding and comparing the data better rather than it being insufficient.

It was suggested that all schools should be taking part in the workshops. It was confirmed that the workshops are open to Newcastle schools also, however if there were any spaces all schools would be encouraged to attend.

It was agreed that an addendum on self-harm would be provided with the overall performance report in June.

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That the comments of the Committee ne noted.

                                    (ii)        That Committee agreed work to be undertaken with

Gateshead Council Research and Intelligence team, Newcastle and Gateshead CCG and Newcastle Public Health Team to investigate the self-harm data and potential differences in coding and data collection.

                                    (iii)       That Committee agreed future updates on hospital

admissions as a result of self-harm children and young people (age 10-24 years) should be included as part of the Council Plan – Six Month Assessment of Performance and Delivery 2017/18 report that is submitted to this Committee.