Decision details

The Overview and Scrutiny Manager introduced a report on the Francis Report and the implications for the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Director for People, Kate Kennally, noted the timeliness of the report and emphasised the role of the Committee as the eyes and ears of the borough.  Referring to the commentary from Francis in relation to the health scrutiny in Staffordshire, the Director for People emphasised the importance of the Committee not being over-dependent on information from the provider rather than other sources such as patients and the public (paragraph 9.5.2).   

The Committee noted the importance of developing relationships with the new HealthWatch.  The Chairman requested that representatives from HealthWatch receive a standing invitation to all future meetings of the Committee.

A Member suggested that Officers should consider ways that other forums could make references to the Committee or other bodies, such as the Health and Wellbeing Board, where there were concerns in relation to health services.  The Director for People supported this, adding that the Committee should use multiple information sources including data, advice and complaints to support their work.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health advised the Committee that the Health and Wellbeing Board has received a report on 25 April 2013 detailing the actions taken by NHS trusts to respond to the recommendations in the Francis Report.  Members were advised that the Clinical Commissioning Group had been receiving bi-weekly updates from the Trust and that a six monthly update would be reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board.  

RESOLVED that:-

1.             the Scrutiny Office be requested to prepare detailed responses / actions to the recommendations made in the Francis Report in relation to Patient and Public Involvement and Scrutiny as set out in the Appendix to the report and prepare a further report for submission to the next meeting.

2.             the Committee note the update from the Cabinet Member for Public Health on reports received by the Health and Wellbeing Board in relation to the Francis report recommendations as set out above.

3.             the Committee receive a report from Barnet HealthWatch on their planned activity for 2013/14 and their response to the Francis Report.