The Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss questions from the public, and to receive an update on the Mental Health Act. The panel were also scheduled to discuss a report on the support available to carers in Kingston.

Focus on Carers

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to receive a report providing an overview of the support available to carers, and the health of the carers themselves.

The report noted that Kingston has a growing and aging population, which is likely to lead to increased demand for care, and more residents taking on unpaid caring roles. The 2021 census recorded approximately 12,000 people in Kingston providing at least one hour of unpaid care per week, but the report estimated that the true number of carers could be over 37,000.

The report stated that there are a number of challenges and opportunities in supporting carers:

• Health and wellbeing: Caring can have a negative impact on the health of carers, with many experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression. The report suggested that there is an opportunity to develop a multi-disciplinary model to support carers' health and wellbeing holistically as part of the new Neighbourhood Health Plan.
• Financial and employment status: Many unpaid carers live in poverty. The report suggested that there is an opportunity to improve how the system shares intelligence about carers known to the council that struggle financially, and how supported employment schemes like Connect to Work or Citizens Advice can support carers.
• Recognition and identification of carers: The NHS South West London 5 Year Plan states that 'health professionals only identify 1 in every 10 carers'. The report noted a particular gap in identification through GP practices and of young carers.
• System changes: The increasingly difficult financial situation, coupled with upcoming NHS changes, means that funding remains uncertain in the medium term for key schemes and projects that have been set up to support Kingston carers.
• Legislation: While legislation is in place that aims to recognise and meet carers needs and involve them in care planning, some challenges remain especially around financial rights.

The report also detailed partnership and system work to support carers, noting that the All Age Kingston Carers Board, co-chaired by the council and Kingston Carers Network (KCN), serves as a platform for collaboration. Key support in Kingston includes:

• 4,269 adult carers and 754 young carers are registered with KCN, who provide support including carers assessments, information, benefits advice and targeted support for male carers and young adult carers.
• Kingston Hospital's Carer Clinical Liaison Service supports approximately 1,500 carers each year (of which 46% are Kingston borough residents)
• Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Kingston support carers by proactively identifying and recording them on the GP register, using social prescribers to connect them with community-based support.
• 146 carers are open to services with the council's Adult Social Care. The council offers direct payments, and commissions respite care and wider support. The council also brings together key information for carers through 'Connected Kingston'.

The report highlighted key partnership programmes with a focus on carers, including the South West London Integrated Care Board (SWL ICB) Frailty Programme, the Accelerating Reform Fund programme, and the 'Think Carer' scheme.

With regards to young carers, the report stated that there are an estimated 2,000 young carers in the borough, but latest schools census records only 355. Key work includes:

• The No Wrong Door Memorandum of Understanding is a formal commitment, signed by key partners, that ensures that regardless of which service a young carer first contacts, they will be promptly identified, assessed, and connected to the right support.
• KCN will start to develop resources, training and guidance for schools to improve the identification of young carers.
• The KCN's Young Carers Project offers tailored support, including skills-based youth groups, respite, and one-to-one mentoring.

The report stated that Kingston partners are committed to continued collaboration to improve outcomes and experiences for carers, and that the goal is to involve more carers as experts by experience in the shaping of health and care models and to run partnership programs.

The report included several annexes providing further information on policy developments, legislation affecting carers, health system partners supporting carers in Kingston, and best practice examples.

Verbal Update on the Mental Health Act

The panel were scheduled to receive a verbal update on changes to the Mental Health Act¹.

Public Questions

The agenda indicated that the panel would consider questions from residents of the borough relating to the panel's remit.