Agenda item

Report from Andrew Griffiths Chief Operating Officer for Bury Healthwatch attached to present

The Committee considered the Healthwatch Bury Annual Report. Members were reminded that the report had been circulated in advance of the meeting and that Andrew Griffiths, Chief Operating Officer of Healthwatch Bury, was in attendance to provide an overview of the report's key findings.

Andrew Griffiths highlighted the work undertaken by Healthwatch Bury over the reporting period, including its role in gathering residents' experiences of health and care services, strengthening the patient voice, and influencing service improvement through partnership working. Particular reference was made to work relating to barriers within ADHD pathways, cancer services across Greater Manchester, and Healthwatch Bury's ongoing casework and engagement activity.

Andrew also outlined the uncertainty surrounding the future national arrangements for Healthwatch and the work taking place across Greater Manchester to consider future delivery models.

Before inviting questions from members, the Chair reminded the Committee that:

• An update on Healthwatch and its future functions had been requested at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Health Scrutiny Committee earlier that day.
• Healthwatch's role is to gather evidence, identify issues and represent the patient voice. It is not commissioned to directly resolve service issues or deliver improvements, which remain the responsibility of service providers and commissioners.
• Findings reported by Healthwatch may assist the Committee in identifying areas for future scrutiny and consideration within its work programme.

During discussion, Members raised the following:

Councillor Green asked whether Healthwatch worked closely with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Andrew Griffiths explained that Healthwatch and PALS are separate organisations with distinct functions, although there may be value in considering how patient experiences gathered by both organisations could help inform understanding of service issues. Councillor Green commented that there appeared to be opportunities to avoid silo working and make better use of shared intelligence.

Councillor FitzGerald commented on the importance of strengthening the patient voice within reports and understanding the wider health and care landscape.

Councillor Rubinstein welcomed the report and the positive outcomes achieved by Healthwatch Bury. He sought reassurance regarding the future of the organisation and requested that any significant developments be reported to the Committee.

Councillor Tariq provided an update on discussions taking place across Greater Manchester regarding the future of Healthwatch. He explained that Greater Manchester had adopted a strong position in support of maintaining an independent patient voice function despite uncertainty arising from national policy changes. Whilst discussions were ongoing, he emphasised the importance of retaining an effective mechanism for representing residents' experiences within the health and care system.

Councillor FitzGerald noted that the Combined Authority had expressed concerns regarding the future arrangements and highlighted the role of GMCA scrutiny in holding decision-makers to account.

In response, Andrew Griffiths advised that Healthwatch organisations across Greater Manchester were actively working together to explore future delivery options. He reported that Healthwatch Bury was currently supporting Stockport in developing future arrangements and that emerging proposals would be considered by Greater Manchester partnership bodies in due course.

Councillor Southworth thanked Healthwatch for its work within local communities and asked about engagement with faith groups. Andrew Griffiths advised that Healthwatch regularly engaged with faith groups and acknowledged that further engagement in this area would be beneficial.

Councillor Southworth commented that the loss of Healthwatch would represent a significant reduction in community representation and patient advocacy.

Councillor Martin sought clarification regarding a statistic on page 48 of the report referring to a 79% waiting time measure. Andrew Griffiths undertook to provide clarification following the meeting.

Councillor Simpson asked whether Healthwatch had experienced any difficulty engaging with the veteran community. Andrew Griffiths advised that this had not been a significant challenge and suggested that Healthwatch's independence helped build trust and engagement.

Councillor Martin asked about Healthwatch Bury's support for Stockport and the associated funding arrangements. Andrew Griffiths confirmed that this work was funded separately by Stockport Council and did not impact upon Healthwatch Bury's core budget.

Councillor Tariq noted that local Healthwatch services are commissioned and funded by individual local authorities. He commended Healthwatch Bury for stepping in to support Stockport and helping to ensure continuity of service provision during a period of transition.

Councillor Zaman asked whether additional staff had been recruited to undertake the work in Stockport and whether this placed pressure on existing Bury resources. Andrew Griffiths confirmed that the arrangement had enabled additional capacity to be created and that the work was managed separately from Healthwatch Bury's core service.

It was agreed

·         the Committee noted the report.

Actions

1. Healthwatch Bury to provide clarification on the waiting time statistic (79%) referred to on page 48 of the report.
2. Healthwatch Bury to provide further information, where available, regarding pharmacy-related matters raised during the discussion.
3. The Committee to receive further updates on the future of Healthwatch, including developments emerging from GMCA scrutiny discussions and national policy changes.