WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2004/05

1. The programme of the work of the Committee for 2004/05 builds on the approach taken in 2003/04 and takes account of the commitment of the Committee to regularly assess the planned review programme to ensure that it:

· has the capacity to influence and improve the service under consideration;


· is timely and relevant to local health services;


· deals with issues not under review elsewhere;


· does not duplicate other scrutiny or performance monitoring activities.

2. The three strands of work originally identified to the Committee provide informed comment and feedback about issues affecting the health of local people (Reviews of Health Services; Health Inquiries and Response to Formal Consultation) will be continued and modified to take account of issues raised with the Committee in 2003/04.

3. The programme of reviews for each strand will be:

· Reviews of Health Services


(i) The programme will retain the focus on children and young people and undertake an in-depth review of "Access to Therapy in Schools" with particular emphasis on speech therapy services. In addition the review of the health of school age children identified the scope for further investigation into the arrangements for the "administration of medication to children at school" - further work will be undertaken to establish if there is scope for the Committee to influence these arrangements in Hampshire.


(ii) The proposed review of the "Mental Health of Children and Young People" will be deferred whilst work takes place across health and social care on "Every Child Matters" and will be reviewed in twelve months' time.


(iii) "Access to Foot Care for People with Diabetes" is an issue referred to the Committee during 2003/04. Following initial investigation a variability of the provision of this service across Hampshire was shown. There was clear evidence supporting the need for this service and significant scope for the Committee to influence local service provision.


(iv) Additionally District and Borough Councils may have a specific local interest in a particular issue that can influence or improve the health of local people. In recognition of this, member leads will be contacted and invited to indicate where work is in hand to progress local health scrutiny initiatives. These will be drawn to the attention of the Committee and, if there is further benefit to be gained from arrangements to delegate the Committee's overview and scrutiny powers for a specific project, then this proposal will be put forward for consideration by the Committee.


· Health Inquiries

The Committee will continue to be briefed and receive regular updates from partners on progress against targets on issues raised with the Committee that are the subject of national or local performance monitoring arrangements. These include:

Access to primary care services, including waiting times to see
a GP or other health professional, access to NHS dental care,
out-of-hours services, advice provided by NHS Direct.

Services for older people, including care in hospital, support to
carers, delayed transfers of care, access to respite care and co-
ordinated mental health services.

Adult mental health services, including people with challenging
behaviour, people with dual diagnosis, liaison between mental
health and acute services.

Links with public health agenda and the prevention of ill
health, including social exclusion and deprivation, links with
educational underachievement and ill health, influencing health
through LSPs.


· Substantial Variation or Development in NHS Provision

Other issues raised by partner organisations are likely to be the subject of formal consultation by the NHS in the short or medium term as the "HealthFit" strategy rolls forward across localities. These include:

Maternity Services
Services for Children (including Mental Health Services)
Services for Older People
Emergency Services
Cancer Services

A lead member has been identified for each of these services and the Committee will continue to receive regular updates on each.

These proposals support Aims 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Corporate Strategy.