A representative from Healthwatch Bury will report at the meeting.
Minutes:
Annemari Poldkivi representing Healthwatch Bury gave a presentation on Healthwatch Bury, the new consumer champion for both health and social care in Bury, at local level and Healthwatch England, at national level.
The meeting was informed of the key objectives for Healthwatch Bury:-
· To give adults, children and young people (both individuals and communities) a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care are provided in Bury and to help people get the best out of those services.
· To provide advice and information services.
· To collect resident’s views on local health and social care services. This information will help build a picture of where services are doing well and where they can be improved.
· To work with a wide range of existing services and organisations in Bury.
· To provide evidence and feedback to organisations responsible for commissioning or delivering local health and social care services.
· To work with the Clinical Commissioning Group to help make sure that services really are designed to meet local people’s needs.
· To represent the views of people who use services and all local citizens on Bury Health and Wellbeing Board.
· Provide information about what to do when things go wrong and
· signpost people to the independent NHS Complaints and Advocacy Services.
The Chair invited questions/comments from the audience:-
· Councillor Gunther explained that she had been a member of the Community Health Council which had been disbanded in 1997 and stated that Healthwatch sounded very much like the same organisation but with a different name.
The Healthwatch service had been provided in the past by what were previously known as the Community Health Council, the Patient Forum, and The Link. Healthwatch is a Government funded service and Healthwatch Bury have now established a Board to oversee their work. Healthwatch Bury is an independent organisation and its funding is distributed from Central Government via the local authority.
· Councillor Fitzwalter asked whether Healthwatch could review health services which were commissioned by an NHS body and provided by a private provider.
Annemari stated that this would be possible.
· Mr Schwarz asked whether the organisation had any powers if it felt that something was wrong and needed changing.
Annemari explained that Healthwatch worked with a number of different organisations including the Care Quality Commission, the Council and NHS trusts. Healthwatch could report issues to any of those bodies as well as asking for support from them and could make recommendations about service provision.
· Councillor Daly asked whether Healthwatch had a role in promoting healthier lifestyles.
It was explained that the Chair of Healthwatch was a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Health and Wellbeing Board approved the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and targets relating to this area were set out within this document.
· Councillor Gunther asked how many paid staff there were employed at Healthwatch Bury.
It was reported that there were 2 part time staff members. The Board Members were recruited as voluntary members.
It was agreed:
1. That the contents of the presentation be noted.
2. That Annemari be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.