Agenda item - Dual Diagnosis: Overview & Scrutiny Report

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance, together with the report of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel and an extract from the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 9^th July detailing the Executive response to the Review Panel’s report (copies attached).

23.1       Councillor Watkins introduced the report and stated that he believed it was one of the most important reports to come before the council for sometime.  He felt that the Scrutiny Panel had been able to highlight the excellent work being undertaken be a number of organisations but which was not necessarily as well co-ordinated as it could be and therefore did not always meet the needs of those individuals who were in need of help.  He hoped that the recommendations outlined in the report would be taken forward and wished to thank the officers involved in supporting the Scrutiny Panel for their time and efforts.  He also noted that there was a seminar taking place on the 12^th October on the issue of substance miss-use, mental health and dual diagnosis and suggested that the Panel’s report should be forwarded to the organisers for circulation as it covered a number of aspects to be raised at the seminar.

23.2       Councillor Ken Norman stated that he wished to thank Councillor Wrighton for requesting the review and the Members of the Panel together with the officers for their work in producing an excellent report.  He noted that the Cabinet had fully supported the recommendations and hoped that they would be implemented in due course.

23.3       Councillor Wrighton stated that she was delighted with the outcome of the review and believed it was an excellent example of the importance and role of scrutiny.  She also wished to thank the Panel Members and the officers involved and supported the suggestion that the report should be brought to the attention of the seminar organisers.

23.4       Members welcomed the report and offered their congratulations to all involved in the review and the production of the report.  They also felt that it would be beneficial if officers could contact the seminar organisers and highlight the findings of the review panel and offer to make the report available to them.

23.5       Councillor Norman stated that he would contact the PCT and attempt to find out more about the seminar and whether the report could be circulated for information.

23.6       Councillor Watkins noted the comments and thanked all Members for their support.  He reiterated the importance of the recommendations and hoped that they would be taken forward.

23.7       The Mayor noted that report had been presented to council for information and sought confirmation from the council that it be noted.

23.8       RESOLVED: That the report be noted.