Agenda item

Attached. Adam Webb,  Chief Operating Officer, Bury Healthwatch to update.

Adam Webb, Chief Operating Officer, Bury Healthwatch attended to present an update to the Committee.

Key updates included an outline of the projects currently being undertaken:

·         Pharmacy provision

·         Pharmacy First initiative

·         Women’s health and menopause

·         Prescriptions project

·         Facebook live information sessions

Issues raised recently by members of the public are:

·         Accessing the NHS App

·         GP access

·         Sexual health services and information available on the internet

·         Access to appointments for contraception and HRT

·         Access to dentistry and understanding of this

·         Autism and ADHD Services and follow up services

·         Medicine shortages

Councillor Pilkington highlighted that the report states there are roles available on the Board of Directors and encouraged members to consult anyone who may be suited for the roles.

Will Blandamer Executive Director provided assurance to the committee that Healthwatch has provided effective challenge and the voice of engagement with communities and the Council takes all their findings seriously.

Members were invited to take questions and the following matters were raised:

Members discussed the logistics of the Children and Young People projects and the volunteering of young people. In response Adam Webb, advised there are different opportunities planned:

·         Enter and review programme – a visit to the CAMHS with a Young Person who has experienced the service

·         Looking to involve young people in Healthwatch governance to produce resources for other young people

A Councillor raised he was concerned regarding shortages of medicines. In response Adam Webb advised, it is a concern to raise with the service directly, however Bury’s Healthwatch has been working with other Greater Manchester Healthwatch’s regarding the issues.

Members discussed the Enter and Review process and were informed, it is a statutory responsibility but have only started these within the last two years. The re   views are currently focused on care homes. Their purpose is to speak to residents, staff and relatives and the most recent review was to Killalea. So far all visits have been announced however there is a  legal right to do it unannounced.

Members raised the low amount views on Healthwatch’s recent YouTube videos. In response Adam Webb advised the figure is not always reflective of views as it may have been re-uploaded and some videos may be more useful to the public at a later date.

A member questioned the delivery of menopause awareness in Asian communities. Adam Webb advised that Healthwatch is placing specific focus on groups that may be harder to reach. Methods such as giving people space to speak outside of public forums and groups is a way to engage with groups of people who may not wish to share in a public setting.

Councillor Fitzgerald highlighted that there is a lack of support resources for menopause awareness in different languages and suggested members may wish to fund towards the creation of these in the new municipal year.

Members held discussions regarding pre-paid prescriptions and suggested this could be better advertised within pharmacies.  

It was agreed:

1.    Members note the report and update.

2.    The Bury Healthwatch report to be circulated to all Elected Members by Democratic Services

3.    Democratic Services to circulate the ADHD Consultation to members of the Health Scrutiny Committee

4.    Councillor Pilkington, wished to place his thanks to the committee for their scrutiny of the Health and Wellbeing portfolio over the last 12 months.