Issue - meetings

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the discussions of the Health Scrutiny Committee at its extraordinary meeting held on 29 November 2011 at which was discussed the future role of health scrutiny in light of on-going reform of the NHS, and inviting the Co-ordination Committee to consider the implications of this reform on the health scrutiny functions of the Council.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Both members and stakeholders recognised the value the Committee had made and could continue to make as an independent critical friend, particularly during a time of significant change in the NHS.

·         The Committee continued to engage in constructive dialogue with health service partners and other stakeholders and supported service and policy development.

·         Concern was expressed that the positive model of health scrutiny in Stockport was dependent on the good will and approach of individuals involved, rather than for procedural reasons. There was little reference to overview and scrutiny in the Health & Social Bill but members recognised the need to maintain the momentum and culture of dialogue already established in Stockport.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and comments of the Health Scrutiny Committee in respect of its role in light of NHS reform be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager, in conjunction with the Service Directors (Strategy & Performance) and (Adult Social Care), be requested to prepare a statement on behalf of the Committee on the importance of the model of Health Scrutiny in Stockport, to be agreed by the Chair and the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, for consideration by the Executive Councillor (Adults & Health).

To consider a report of the Chair.

The report provides a note of the discussions at the extraordinary meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 29 November 2011 on the future role of the Committee in light of ongoing reform of the NHS.

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

The Chair submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the key themes to emerge from discussions on the future role of Health Scrutiny at the extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 29 November 2011.

RESOLVED – That the report be referred to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee for consideration.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing background information on the role and remit of the Health Scrutiny Committee to facilitate discussion on the future direction of the Scrutiny Committee in light of ongoing reform of the NHS.

The Chair invited the Scrutiny Committee members and officers present to make suggestions on a set of principles that would inform and underpin the work of the Committee in the future.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·                A key role for the Scrutiny Committee in the future would be to hold to account the Clinical Commissioning Group, Foundation Trust, Public Health and Council departments on the delivery of the Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

·                The transfer of Public Health functions to the Council would provide the Committee with a role in scrutinising the plans for this transfer and to ensure the more joined up service provided was appropriate. The Committee could have a role in promoting ‘wellbeing’ more generally.

·                The reforms were providing an opportunity for Stockport to shape its own arrangements, and Scrutiny had a key role in assisting this and in shaping its own role within this broader context.

·                Scrutiny reviews had a very valuable role in shaping service delivery. The Health and Wellbeing Strategy could be used to inform that programme of work. Scrutiny Reviews provided an opportunity for the Committee to promote innovation and an increased emphasis on prevention.

·                HealthWatch would provide both a challenge and an opportunity. It could provide a mechanism for public engagement, but would that be sufficiently independent? There had traditionally been a good relationship between LINk and the Committee and it was hoped this would continue with the new arrangements.

·                Local providers looked on the Committee as providing an element of local accountability, rather than through regional or national health bodies, which was valued by these organisations.

·                The Committee had a key role in supporting non-health services to improve the wider determinants of health and inequalities.

·                It was important that the work of the Committee did not become ‘politicised’ and the focus of its work remain on outcomes.

·                The Committee needed to have ‘teeth’ to ensure it could hold organisations and people to account. The Committee had traditionally sought to have constructive relationships with partners which had proven effective.

·                In light of discussions around the CCG and GP obligations, the Committee should try to ensure these obligations were being met.

·                It was important for the focus of scrutiny to be on outcomes, rather than structures.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, be requested to prepare a note on the discussion of the Committee on its future role with a view to the Committee agreeing a position at its next meeting on 13 December 2011.