Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing.

Councillor Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, updated the Committee on progress with developing the Health and Wellbeing Board. 

The Shadow Board had not met recently but a great deal of work was underway in the background. 

The Clinical Commissioning Groups were in the process of putting together staff structures.  The transition of public health into the Council was underway with staffing arrangements under consideration and accommodation at Westfields being planned.  A transition paper was being produced for consideration by the shadow Health and Wellbeing Board, which included a risk assessment.

A joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy was being developed and would be submitted to a future meeting for consideration. 

There was still little information available about the transition of the Local Involvement Network (LINk) into Healthwatch although more information around funding had been received.  It had been confirmed that the commissioning of Healthwatch would be the responsibility of the local authority.  The LINk were to give a presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board updating on progress from their side.  Healthwatch would have a wider role than the LINk although it was not clear yet how advocacy services would be provided.  Healthwatch would formally exist from April 2013 and would be a Corporate Body. 

In discussing the matter the following issues were raised:

      Whether third sector organisations were involved in the development of Healthwatch?  In response, the Committee was advised that informal talks had been held with various voluntary organisations including the Cheshire East Council for Voluntary Services (CVS).  There had also been a Steering Group established since the Cheshire East LINk had been granted Pathfinder status and this Group comprised various members including the LINk Executive, CVS, other voluntary bodies and provider organisations from the Health service; it was chaired by a Cheshire East officer.  In addition, the LINk had a vast organisational membership.  It was anticipated that a Shadow Healthwatch would be operational in October.  The Portfolio Holder would investigate the current situation and it was proposed that an update report on Healthwatch be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee;

      Members discussed how members of the public would be made aware of the changes in the Health and Social Care Bill 2011 and how this may impact on them.  It was noted that the Clinical Commissioning Groups’ view was that patients should not see any difference in their day to day dealings with their GP.  It was important that any information made public must be timely and relevant.  The Council’s Skilled Multi-Agency Response Teams (SMART) would be a vehicle for easing in the changes as they were integrated teams of health and social care staff.  Communication and information could be provided in a variety of ways including in GP surgeries and hospitals, which was where the majority of people came into contact with health services. 

      How would Healthwatch be funded?  The Committee was advised that funding would be given to the Local Authority from Central Government.  It had been expected that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74