Archived decisions

Contact : Graham Linecar Ext 7390

Carole Bennett Ext 7153

1. Purpose of report

1.1. The committee asked for a report on the Department of Health consultation paper `Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny'.

1.2. The County Council's Cabinet (25 February 2002) resolved that this Policy Review Committee should be the County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee and that the PRC should, in consultation with partner organisations, develop proposals for how the County Council will discharge this significant new function. The report to Cabinet and the record of the Cabinet's decision is attached.

2. Overview and scrutiny of health and NHS services

2.1. The Government's NHS Plan sets out the ambition to create an NHS service responsive to the voice of patients and the community. The Department of Health has published a consultation paper setting out ideas for community overview and scrutiny of health and NHS services. Any members wishing a copy can obtain one from Graham Linecar. The consultation paper proposes that local authorities' overview and scrutiny committees extend their role to health scrutiny.

2.2. The consultation paper intends scrutiny to focus on broad considerations of the health of an area. It is not proposing performance monitoring of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and NHS Trusts in Hampshire : that is the role of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight strategic health authority. It is proposing focused reviews of particular health issues, provision and proposed changes to provision and thematic review of the broader health needs of groups within the wider population, such as how carers are supported. It is proposed that the scrutiny committee takes a flexible approach, tailoring arrangements for individual reviews to particular circumstances and requirements. The consultation paper suggests that whereas a tighter and more formalised approach may be appropriate for reviews focussing on proposals affecting an individual facility, such as a hospital closure or relocation of specialist provision, an enquiring and discursive approach, in the style of a commission of inquiry or parliamentary select committee, would be appropriate for the more thematic reviews. The consultation paper suggest the taking of evidence, including public hearings, and visits.

2.3. It is proposed that overview and scrutiny committees should determine issues to be reviewed and set a programme of reviews. Scrutiny committee would set the arrangements for each review, particularly the style and approach to be taken and co-option of additional members pertinent to that particular review. The consultation paper proposes that consideration be given to delegating to district councils the undertaking of reviews focused on facilities and issues relating to that particular community and locality.

2.4. Each review will culminate in a report to the scrutiny committee, making recommendations to NHS bodies, local authorities and, when appropriate, other organisations.

2.5. Cabinet resolved that the Leader should make representations on behalf of the County Council to the Department of Health on the consultation paper. Representations have to be submitted by the end of April - the consultation period has been extended. Cabinet decided that the representation should welcome the Government's recognition of local government's legitimacy and authority in representing community views and express reservations about resourcing health reviews and scrutiny. The representation has not yet been submitted and the Committee or individual members may wish to consider making further suggestions of points to be included.

3. Developing the County Council's approach

3.1. Cabinet has asked this Policy Review Committee to consult with partner organisations and develop proposals for how the County Council should go about health review and scrutiny.

3.2. At its meeting on 22 March, the Association of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities considered the Department of Health consultation paper. The Association noted that arrangements are needed to open up dialogue between the four authorities with social service functions and so health scrutiny responsibilities and the district councils, NHS partners and Community Health Councils. The Association was informed of the intention to arrange a seminar.

3.3. The strategic health authority has offered to fund a seminar to help the County Council develop ideas with partner organisations. Arrangements are being made for the seminar to be held on 19 June at Sparsholt College. Careful consideration will need to be given to representation. Preliminary thoughts are for representation from each body/organisation as follows:

3.4. To enable full participation by all Members attending, it might be considered appropriate for the chairman of a health trust to chair the seminar.

3.5. The intention would be for the seminar to assist in formulation of proposals on which this PRC would consult partner organisations, particularly in Health, and the public during the latter part of the year with the intention of having arrangements in place early in 2003 to determine a programme of reviews, set arrangements for undertaking each of those reviews and commence them.

3.6. There are meetings of the PRC scheduled for 18 July and 19 September which will provide the opportunity for the PRC to decide arrangements for consultation and proposals on which the County Council will consult partner organisations and the public. There are meetings of the PRC on 24 October and 5 December to which representations can be reported and final proposals for the County Council's health scrutiny function agreed for consideration by Cabinet at its December or January meeting. (The Department of Health intends Regulations to come into force early in 2003 - and is planning to issue final draft guidance late in 2002).

Recommendations

1. That this Policy Review Committee notes the arrangements being made for a seminar to inform the PRC's development of the County Council's proposals for health scrutiny, nominates 6 Members to attend and invites 2 Members each from the Education and Social Care PRCs, the Leader and the Executive Member, Social Care.

2. That the PRC appoints up to 6 Members to a small sub committee to advise and assist in working up, for consultation with partner organisations and the public during the latter part of the year, proposals for how the PRC will operate as the County Council's health scrutiny committee. It may also be appropriate and helpful that Members on the sub committee meet with key partner organisations, such as with chairman of the PCTs and NHS Trusts. The sub committee to be assisted by a Member from the Education and from the Social Care PRCs and the Executive Member, Social Care.

3. That the PRC, at its meeting on 18 July, considers a first draft of a consultation paper setting out the County Council's proposed arrangements for health scrutiny and a draft programme of reviews.

4. That individual Members forward to the Chief Executive comments on the Department of Health consultation paper `Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny' for consideration for inclusion in the County Council's response to be made by the end of April.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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