Agenda item

The Chairman invited the following officers and representatives to the committee table:

·         Chris Munday, Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, London Borough of Barnet.

·         Eamann Devlin, CAMHS Joint Commissioning Manager (Interim)

·         Dr Berelowitz, Lead Clinician for the Eating Disorder Service at the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Munday informed the Committee that on the 18^th November 2016 schools and colleges in the Borough held an event on eating disorders in order to improve communications. He noted that the event was a success in terms of engagement.

Mr Devlin told the Committee the event had been held for both schools and primary care and that the feedback from the event had been positive. They were happy with the content of the seminar however; they felt that the advanced publicity of the event could have been improved. He noted that although five schools in total had attended, there are nevertheless difficulties with getting staff at schools and GPs to attend. He noted that several seminars will be held over the coming year to target different schools including topics such as depression and anxiety, which are common issues for young people.

The Chairman asked if Governors could  be involved in attending and helping to publicise these events where possible. Mr Munday agreed that the role of Governors is important and said that they were willing to broaden the seminars to include Governors and Councillors.

Councillor Caroline Stock asked whether the seminars could be opened up to private schools and whether they would accept requests from schools to do free seminars. Dr Berelowitz said that they do already go to private schools.

Councillor Anne Hutton inquired whether there is any literature from the seminars that could be circulated to the councillors. Dr Berelowitz said that literature will be made based on the seminars and that he would circulate this to members following the meeting.

Councillor Phil Cohen asked whether access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) could be expanded, as he believed that this is the main therapy for those with Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD).

Councillor Graham Old asked whether BDD involved people being concerned with their appearance or whether there was also a sexual element (for instance size of sexual organs) and whether those with BDD could be referred to other specialist services such as plastic surgery practitioners or sexual health clinics.

Dr Berelowitz informed the Committee that there were very few experts in the country on BDD. He noted that CBT is currently insufficiently available and that he is unsure whether a specialist service would be possible due to the co-morbidity of the condition with depression and anxiety.

Councillor Val Duschinsky asked how many residential places are available for people living locally with eating disorders. Dr Berelowitz said that recent changes mean that there is no local provision. Places are allocated nation wide on a first come first serve basis although place of residence is taken into account as far as possible.  Councillor Duschinsky asked if there is any funding for private beds locally. Dr Berelowitz commented that the NHS England does commission some beds but only a limited amount and he is unsure of the cost of such beds to the NHS.

RESOLVED – The Committee noted the report