Agenda item

To consider the Annual Report of Healthwatch Stockport for 2017/18.

The report highlights the key work and achievements of Healthwatch Stockport in the 2017/18 year.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

Sue Carrol, Chair of Healthwatch Stockport, attended the meeting and presented the organisation’s Annual Report for 2017/18 (copies of which had been circulated).

She highlighted the following issues:-

·         The history of Healthwatch in Stockport and the relatively unique model of funding. Healthwatch Stockport was relatively modest in size and budget and had amongst the lowest funding per head of population.

·         Healthwatch had positive working relationships with key local partners in the health and social care economy, including the Council, Clinical Commissioning Group, Foundation Trust, North West Ambulance Service and was an active participant in a number of bodies.

·         Healthwatch was increasingly coordinating its activities with other Greater Manchester Healthwatch groups, both to address GM wide issues but also to share skills and maximise the effectiveness of its resources.

·         Of particular note in the last year was the work around Dental Services; ongoing engagement with older people around domiciliary care and the Afternoon Tea events; increasingly involved in signposting the public to services because of gaps in knowledge from the Targeted Preventative Alliance.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Had Healthwatch found that income affected take-up and access to dental services? It was commented that cost could impact on people’s choices around dental services but there was support available for those on low income. People would often remain registered with a dental practice even if they moved away from the area.

·         The Scrutiny Committee had recently considered the issue of higher mortality rates for people with learning disabilities and the work of Healthwatch to work with GPs on annual health checks was welcomed. In response it was stated that this was an issue Healthwatch had been pursuing for some time.

·         Healthwatch had been involved in developing the Carer’s Charter. Had they noticed any improvement as a result? In response examples were given of how carers were often overlooked by services and opportunities to identify physical or mental health issues were overlooked. GP practices were now getting better at identifying carers to ensure that their needs were better catered for.

·         Given the devastating impact of drug and alcohol addiction was Healthwatch undertaking any work on this area? In response it was explained that Healthwatch priorities were generated by the public through issues they had raised and then prioritised at an engagement event. Because of the limited resources available no work had been undertaken in this area, although Healthwatch Manchester had produced information for homeless people to signpost to health services including support for addiction. It was further commented that due the chaotic lives of those with substance addiction it was unlikely they would engage with Healthwatch to raise this important issue.

·         Clarification was sought on the outcomes from Enter and View visits and whether reports were available for the public to view in the same way as CQC reports were? In response it was stated that all reports would be published on the Healthwatch website and may contain recommendations and suggestions for improvements based on surveys with staff and users.

·         What training were members of Healthwatch given? It was commented that many members had other expertise, often from their working lives, that they were able to draw on when volunteering with Healthwatch, many of whom had worked in the health and social care field.

·         Further information was requested in relation to the funding of Healthwatch? In response it was explained that the Council funded the organisation from resources provided by the Department of Health for the purpose of discharging the duties under the Health & Social Care Act 2012. Healthwatch Stockport was in effect commissioned to discharge specific elements of these duties with other organisations commissioned to provide advocacy and signposting services. Other Healthwatch organisations in Greater Manchester provided all three elements and were therefore funded accordingly.

·         What impact did Healthwatch have when reporting back on issues with providers? In response it was stated that Healthwatch legal powers to sanction organisations who may be failing in their duties or contractual obligations but organisations often responded well to recommendations Healthwatch made.

RESOLVED – That Sue Carrol be thanked for her attendance and presentation and the Healthwatch Stockport Annual Report 2017/18 be noted.