FOI Request
I am writing to ask for information on joint projects with health partners that you have been involved in during the last two years. Specifically, I would be grateful if you could provide the following information:
- A list of all joint projects with health partners in the last two years;
- For each project, a clear indication of the health partner involved;
- For each project, a description of the aims, priorities and features of the intervention.
For the purpose of this request, ‘health partners’ refers to: NHS provider organisations, private and third sector healthcare organisations commissioned by the NHS or local authorities, NHS England, Public Health England, and local authority public health teams.
OPCC Response
Below is a breakdown of the projects in which the OPCC is currently involved with health partners. Our involvement in these schemes may be as commissioners, joint commissioners or key stakeholders – this has been explained in each project outline.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
Health partner involved: NHS England
NHS England and the OPCC jointly commission management of Teesside SARC, the North East SARC Support Service and the Tees-wide Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service. The current provider of these services is Safer Communities (formerly Safe in Tees Valley), with Arch North East sub-contracted to provide the ISVA service.
The aim of this partnership is to ensure all victims of sexual violence in Cleveland (and the wider North East region) have the opportunity to access specialist crisis support and advocacy provision.
Liaison and Diversion Services
Health partner involved: NHS England; Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV)
The Liaison and Diversion team provide a mental health triage service within custody at Middlesbrough Police Station, to ensure those with mental health needs can access appropriate support during their detention and when they leave police care.
The aim of this partnership is to prevent the criminalisation and repeat detention of those with mental health issues, instead linking them with services equipped to address their needs.
The service is commissioned by NHS England and delivered locally by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). Whilst the OPCC is not a commissioning partner, nor does it provide any funding contribution, they are a key stakeholder of the programme and sit on its steering group.
Custody and SARC Healthcare
Health partner involved: Mitie (Care and Custody)
Mitie (Care & Custody) are commissioned by the OPCC until July 2022 to deliver medical health services within Cleveland Police custody suite and Forensic Medical Examiner (FME) services at Teesside SARC.
The care provided by nurses in police custody provides a safeguard for those detained by Cleveland Police and gives assurance of immediate medical provisions, if needed. The FME service at Teesside SARC involves the collection of forensic samples from victims of sexual assault in a sterile and safe environment.
Force Control Room Mental Health Coordinator
Health partner involved: Tees Valley CCG, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV)
The Mental Health Coordinator works closely with staff in Cleveland Police’s Control Room to identify vulnerable callers. They can provide specialist support, such as over the phone assessments, referrals to a regional support service or deployment of street triage teams (mobile units containing a police officer and a mental health worker).
This service is commissioned by Tees Valley CCG and delivered locally by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). The OPCC has provided a financial contribution towards the scheme in the past, although this has now been sustained by the CCG. Whilst the OPCC is not a commissioning partner they are a key stakeholder of the programme.
Heroin Assisted Treatment
Health partners: Foundations Medical Practice, South Tees Public Health
Heroin Assisted Treatment is a pioneering drug treatment programme for people with long-term dependency on heroin, who have not responded to traditional drug treatments such as methadone in the past. Participants attend Foundations Medical Practice (an existing drug treatment centre) twice a day, to receive self-administered doses of diamorphine, medical grade heroin replacement.
Aims of the programme:
• Reduced crime and repeat offending
• Fewer short-term prison sentences
• Reduced antisocial behaviour and drug litter
• Reduced admissions to A&E
• Better treatment outcomes for hard-to-treat users
The scheme is an OPCC-led partnership and Foundations Medical Practice, South Tees Public Health and Durham Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company. As with all commissioning decisions, current funding arrangements can be found on our website.
The Iris Project
Health partners: Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
The Iris Project a partnership involving the OPCC, Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, Middlesbrough Council and local domestic abuse provider My Sister’s Place. The project was designed by My Sister’s Place and the other partners provided financial contributions.
The project is a two-year pilot due to commence in December 2020 and as such, further funding sources are still being identified and established. As such, other organisations may join the partnership or provide financial support in the months to come.
My Sister’s Place will train staff working in medical practices in Middlesbrough to recognise abuse, become alert to indicators and understand the links between mental health and domestic abuse. Following the training, professionals should have clear understandings of pathways and when appropriate use routine enquiry to ask and understand if a patient is a victim of domestic abuse.