Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Health Review Committee Item 6

25 January 2005

Inquiries Received and Action Taken

Report of the Chief Executive

Contact: Denise Holden ext. 7338

e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary and Purpose

1.1. This report provides Members with information about the issues brought to the attention of the Committee and the action taken as a result of these referrals. It sets out the inquiries received, the source of this inquiry, action taken and recommendations for further action. Where appropriate comments have been included and copies of briefings or other information attached.

1.2. The approach adopted provides the route through which Patient and Public Involvement Forums (established in 1 December 2003) and other partner organisations (Hampshire district councils, NHS bodies, voluntary and independent sector providers and organisations that are representative of social care service users and carers) can raise issues with the Committee.

1.3. Where inquiries raised with the Committee are already subject to monitoring or other performance management activities the action taken will be focused on the local resolution of inquiries through appropriate sign-posting to the agency best placed to respond.

1.4. Where an issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved between the parties concerned then the Committee can consider options for further action.

1.5. The recommendations included in this report support Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving Services) through the overview and scrutiny of health services in the Hampshire County Council area.

2. Recommendations for Action

2.1. Priorities for 2005/06 work programme:

    _ Members note feedback from the informal meetings with partner organisations.

    _ This informs the work programme for 2005/06, together with the previously reported feedback from the area meetings.

2.2. Beyond Healthfit

    _ The Committee continues to monitor progress with Beyond Healthfit and responds to any proposals to vary of develop health services

2.3. Out of Hours Services

    _ The Committee receives an up-date on progress with the development of the integrated out of hours service at its next meeting

2.4. Orthopaedic Choice

    _ The Committee notes the work undertaken to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic services and extend choice for patients

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 that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

File Location

None

Hampshire County Council: Health Review Committee: 25 January 2005

Inquiries Received and Action Taken

Topic/inquiry

Source

Action Taken

Comment

Work programme for 2005/06

Informal meetings with partners

    The issues raised at the informal meetings with partner organisations are attached at Appendix One.

    These will be linked with the priorities identified at the 3 area meetings to inform the work programme for 2005/06

 

Orthopaedic Choice

New Forest PCT

    This initiative provides for shorter waiting times for local people requiring elective orthopaedic care

 

GP Out of hours cover

Committee members

    Members will receive an up-date on progress with the integration of out of hours services in March

This is a major area of change for local people.

Local Action on NHS Dentists

Committee member

    Further to a presentation by the SHA, members will receive an briefing on local action to improve access the NHS dental services at the Committee meeting in March

 

Beyond HealthFit

Committee member

    The Chairman is regularly reviewing progress with this initiative to ensure any changes to NHS services are drawn to the attention of the Committee

 

Hampshire County Council Appendix One

Health Review Committee: 25 January 2005

Meetings with key Partners: Priorities for Review Programme

Introduction

Following the area meetings held by the Committee in September and October 2004, the Chairman and lead officer have had a series of informal meetings with key staff in Hampshire Districts Council and local NHS Trusts and PCTs.

The propose for these meetings was to test if the approach adopted by the Committee to health scrutiny was appropriate and identify issues to be considered by the Committee for inclusion in the work programme for 2005.

Working relationships

Feedback regarding the role of the Committee and the approach to health scrutiny adopted was strongly supported. Both District Councils and NHS partners were clear about the role of the Committee and felt that it was responsive to inquiries raised or requests for further information.

Possible topics for inclusion in the Review Programme for 2005/06

Issues raised in discussions with partners reflected a range of topics some of which were shaped by local issues, others reflecting more general concerns. These are set out in the table attached at Annexe One.

Priorities for Review 2005/06

District Councils

NHS Trusts

NHS Dental Services (3)

Fluoridation of water

Pattern of Health Care provision in Gosport

Transport to Hospital (2)

Out of Hours services (4)

Reducing Bureaucracy

Cross border issues between Frimely Park and Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT

Health inequalities and deprivation

The role of the voluntary sector

Implications of the public health White Paper (4)

Mental Health Services (county-wide briefing)

Aldershot Centre for Health

Responsibility for Drug & Alcohol Teams

Refocusing leadership (consequences)

CAMHS

Patient Forums Role

Discharge of Older people from hospital (2)

Patient & Public Involvement in the Development of Cancer Services (2)

Ambulance services

Implementation of Mental Health NSF

Continuing care &learning disabilities

Out of Area Treatments

Financial Recovery plans & how to approach

Role of Community Hospitals

Rehabilitation for ESMI

Integrated Emergency and OOH services (5)

Continuing care (4)

Public Transport and access (2)

Impact of Agenda for Change

Partnership working

Refocusing leadership (adding value)

CAMHS & primary care