Issue - meetings

Fiona Field, Director of Governance and Strategic Planning, Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust, will brief on the main issues contained within the NHS White Paper published in July 2010.  A briefing note outlining the main points is attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Primary Care Trust Director of Governance and Strategic Planning on the NHS White Paper – Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS.  The proposals aimed to ensure that the NHS was a world class service that was easy to access, treated people as individuals and offered care that was safe and of the highest quality.  The White Paper and its 5 supporting documents were currently out for consultation until 11 October.

The supporting paper “Local democratic legitimacy in health” was of particular relevance for both the Council and the Committee.  The paper outlined how power would be given to those who knew best through their work in the communities such as GPs and local authorities.  There was an enhanced role for local authorities who would take on responsibility for public health through Health and Well Being Boards.  There would also be a powerful local voice through the introduction of HealthWatch, which would see an expanded role for the Local Involvement Networks.

The report outlined that the PCT and Council were jointly considering the proposals.

RESOLVED:  That the proposals contained in the White Paper be noted and any response be considered by the Mid Point meeting on 7 October.