Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Neil Swaisland

Ref: 2018-0385 Date: 12 Dec 2018 Coroner: Thomas Osborne Area: Milton Keynes Responses identified: 2 / 2 View PDF

The withdrawal of funding for MIND's counselling services by the Council and CCG risks future deaths from self-harm and suicide among vulnerable individuals.

Date 12 Dec 2018

56-day deadline 5 Feb 2019

Responses identified 2 of 2

Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths Suicide (from 2015)

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The withdrawal of funding for MIND's counselling services by the Council and CCG risks future deaths from self-harm and suicide among vulnerable individuals.

View full coroner's concerns

The MATTERS OF CONCERNS are as follows : During the course of the evidence I heard from a senior GP from Milton Keynes and from a senior clinician from mental health services that the funding for counselling services operated by MIND had been withdrawn by both the Council and the CCG. They expressed the view that as a result of this decision it is inevitable that further lives will be put at risk from self-harm and suicide. My concern is that the decision not to provide counselling to some of the very vulnerable people within our society will result in further deaths from suicide.

Responses

2 respondents

Milton Keynes Council Local Authority / Fire Service

12 Dec 2018 PDF

Noted

Milton Keynes Council has a contract for counselling services in place with MIND, which will be maintained until April 2019 whilst MIND develop additional funding opportunities for their services. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Osborne Regulation 28 report to prevent further deaths Vm writing in response to your regulation 28 report of 12 December 2018, regarding the death of Mr Neil Swalsland on 14 July 2018. You have requested informatlon in relation to access to counselling services wlthin Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Council (MKC) has a contract for counselllng services in place with MIND. Milton Keynes Cllnical Commissloning Group (MKCCG) also contributes towards the cost of thls provlsion: Thls contract was due to end in December 2018 however a continuation of funding from MKC and MKCGG will maintaln it until April 2019 whilst MIND develop additional funding opportunities for their services: After April the councll will no longer dlrectly commlssion counselling services; instead focusing our investment Into our frontline mental health soclal care services; The NHS is continuing to provide counsel services in Mllton Keynes: MKCCG have continued their commitment to the provlslon of psychological therapies In Milton Keynes through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service provision The local NHS mental health service provlder, Central and North West London Foundation Trust (CNWL) Is currently meeting all national access, and walting time requirements for these services. MIND is working with the IAPT service delivering the trlage service: In addition, working in partnership with MKC and CNWL, MKCCG have Invested in a Primary Care Plus servlce working with general practice to provide access to specialist support for people with mental Illness in primary care: This service will be developed to meet the needs of allof the registered population In 2019. Yours slncerely Michael Bracey Chlef Executive Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3E elling

Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group NHS / Health Body

10 Jan 2019 PDF

Action Taken

Milton Keynes CCG has invested year on year into Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service provision and invested in a Primary Care Plus (PCP) service working with general practice to provide access to specialist support for people with serious mental illness and increasing mild and moderate need in primary care. (AI summary)

View full response

Dear Mr Osbourne Web: wWw miltonkeynesccg nhsuk Re Regulation 28 Report am writing in response to your regulation 28 report dated the 12 December, following the death of Mr Swaisland; who died on 14 July 2018. Thank you for inviting comment from Milton Keynes CCG (MKCCG) in this case Your report requests specific information in relation to access to counselling services within borough and the specific feedback from clinicians reporting to the inquest in relation to MIND counselling services Milton Keynes Council (MKC) has a historic contract for counselling services in Milton Keynes MKCCG contributed towards the cost of this provision. MKC have been working with MIND for a number of years to ensure that this contract can operate with resource from grant and other opportunities available to third sector partners. The contract was due to end in 2017/18, however; statutory grant from both MKC and MKCCG has been maintained in 2018/19 t0 ensure continuation of the contract until March
2019. From April 2019, MIND will work with community options. The intention is for access to subsidised counselling to be maintained, The CCG has invested year on year into Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service provision. am pleased to say that following additional investment the local provider;, Central and North West London (CNWL) , is exceeding all access_ and waiting time requirements against the national specification. The service is provided from 3 locations in Milton Keynes and over 400 people are currently entering treatment each month: We anticipate that over 4500 people will have received treatment in 2018/19. In addition the service has maintained an excellent recovery rate; in excess of the national target set, In addition the CCG has invested in a Primary Care Plus (PCP) service working with general practice to provide access to specialist support for people with serious mental iilness and increasing mild and moderate need in primary care. This service will be developed to meet the needs of all of the registered population in 2019. that this provides you with the appropriate information relating to this case and assurance about the focus for the development of Mental Health commissioning plans and provision for Milton Keynes

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 16/07/2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Neil Stephen David SWAISLAND aged
49. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 28th November 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was: Suicide

Circumstances of the death

The deceased went to the top floor of the multi storey car park situated in Cresswell Lane, Milton Keynes at 12.50 on 14th July 2018 and jumped to the ground below sustaining multiple injuries. He was confirmed dead at the scene at 13.51 the same day.

Action should be taken

by reviewing the provision of counselling services in Milton Keynes. 7 YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 5th February 2019. I, the coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed.

8 COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons Milton Keynes University Hospital, Central and North West London NHS Trust The Family of Mr Swaisland I have also sent a copy to MIND, The GP Practice and Compass who may find it useful or of interest. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. Tom OSBORNE Senior Coroner for Milton Keynes Dated: 12 December 2018

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Related inquiry recommendations

Report details

Reference: 2018-0385
Date of report: 12 December 2018
Coroner: Thomas Osborne
Coroner area: Milton Keynes

Responses identified

Responses identified 2 of 2

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 5 Feb 2019.

Sent to

Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group

Milton Keynes Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.