Item 2

AT A MEETING of the HEALTH REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 8 April 2003.

PRESENT

Councillors: Dr. R.J. Ellis (Chairman); Mrs. P.G. Banks (Vice-Chairman); B. Bayford; I.F.E. Beagley; K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett; Mrs. P. Dickens; A.G. Dowden; W.J. Filer; Mrs. D.R. Harrison; Mrs. K. Heron; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; R.C. McIntosh;

Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; Mrs. P.G. Peskett; Mrs. E.M.F. Randall; K.P.J. Searle;

Mrs. P.A. West; F. Williams; D.F. Wright.

9. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed.

Councillors Mrs. P. Dickens and F. Williams declared non-pecuniary interests in that they are both employed by the NHS and Councillor Mrs. P. West declared a non-pecuniary interest in that her daughter-in-law is employed by the Ambulance Service.

10. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29 January 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

11. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that some Members had now attended workshops arranged by the Strategic Health Authority and that he and the Vice-Chairman had attended the Local Government Association Health Scrutiny Seminar.

12. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

13. HEALTHFIT - CONFIGURING HEALTH SERVICES IN HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT

The Chief Executive introduced Richard Samuel, Assistant Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority who presented a report providing a background to the development of HealthFit, a major process underway across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to ensure that health services are fit for the future (Item 5 in the Minute Book). He also introduced Liz Steel from the Strategic Health Authority who gave a presentation about HealthFit outlining the processes being undertaken in configurating health services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the timetable for the work. They answered detailed members' questions.

RESOLVED:

That:

(a) The Strategic Health Authority be thanked for their report and presentation.


(b) The County Council assists, at the appropriate time, with the HealthFit process and responds to consultation.

14. DEVELOPING A PROGRAMME OF REVIEWS: PROGRESS REPORT


The Chief Executive presented a report setting out the progress in considering issues which might be included in the Committee's programme of reviews (Item 6 in the Minute Book). He outlined the proposed criteria for prioritising reviews and stressed that any review should be capable of generating recommendations that would make a difference. Members noted the suggestions received for issues for consideration for inclusion in the programme of reviews and requested that the Ambulance Service and public and private patients transport be included as issues to be considered.

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) The criteria set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report be used to assist in prioritising issues for review until experience gained in undertaking reviews allowed consideration of whether more appropriate criteria could be defined.


(b) A report be presented to the next meeting of the Committee recommending terms of reference and proposed membership of the working group to undertake a review within the scope of the overall issue - The health of our children and young persons.

15. DISCUSSING ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES WITH HEALTH SCRUTINY POWERS: A PROGRESS REPORT

The Chief Executive presented a report setting out the steps on emerging arrangements with other authorities and the recognition that overview and scrutiny committees will need to establish arrangements for working together (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) All adjoining authorities be kept informed of the progress in developing arrangements and identifying topics for review.


(b) Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils be requested to arrange for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to meet with the Chairman of the member body in each City Council which is developing arrangements and undertaking health scrutiny and review.

16. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF OR VARIATION IN PROVISIONS OF NHS SERVICES

The Chief Executive presented a report setting out proposed procedures whereby the County Council could set up appropriate arrangements to respond to NHS Bodies on such consultations (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) Agreement be given to the arrangements set out in Section 3 of the report to enable the County Council to respond to NHS bodies considering and making proposals for substantial development or a variation of health services in Hampshire.


(b) The Community Health Councils be thanked for the assistance they have offered to effect interim arrangements.


(c) The offer of the Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority to give regular overviews of issues being faced by the NHS in Hampshire as a way to early identification of possible proposals enabling appropriate arrangements to be considered be welcomed.

17. IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE FRAMEWORK FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The Director of Social Services presented a report following the referral of a report to this Committee on Stage 4 Monitoring of the National Service Framework for Mental Health by the Social Care Policy Review Committee (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) The Social Care Policy Review Committee be thanked for the referral of the report.


(b) The review process, achievement to date and the openness and transparency of the findings as reported to the Social Care Policy Review Committee be commended.


(c) The work of Social Services in working with Primary Care Trusts to address the complex issues of competing priorities for resources be recognised and supported and that Social Services keeps the Health Review Committee informed of progress.


(d) An aspect of mental health services be included in the programme of reviews.

18. MANAGING THE TRANSITION - JOINT CONFERENCE OF PUBLIC AND PATIENT INVOLVEMENT IN HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT

The Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority presented a report setting out proposals for a Hampshire based conference to be held to facilitate the handing over of responsibilities, expertise and knowledge from the Community Health Councils to the new overview and scrutiny committees and, if established, Patients' Forums (Item 10 in the Minute Book). He envisaged that the conference would take place in June 2003 at Sparsholt but a firm date was still to be arranged.

RESOLVED:

That the proposal by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority to host a conference making facilitating the handing over of responsibilities, expertise and knowledge from the Community Health Councils to local authorities' overview and scrutiny committees and, when established, Patients' Forums be welcomed.

4JM1020403