To update Cabinet on the progress made to date regarding Healthwatch Herefordshire and to seek approval for the establishment of the new organisation.

Cabinet:

(a)          noted the content of the report presented and the views expressed from consultation so far;

(b)             agreed the proposals in the report for the establishment of Healthwatch Herefordshire, including the local vision and that Healthwatch Herefordshire be provided through an arrangement with the local voluntary sector for an initial period of 2 years (option 2); and

(c)             authorised the Deputy Chief Executive to implement these proposals, including the recruitment of an independent Chair of Healthwatch Herefordshire.

Healthwatch is a requirement of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act and whilst there are a number of different possible models and approaches, as set out in this paper, the recommendation to seek the Healthwatch service from local voluntary sector partners will provide a value for money approach through the utilisation of existing partnership arrangements.  This has been broadly supported in the consultation undertaken so far.

Healthwatch is a requirement of the 2012 legislation. There is therefore no alternative to the implementation of the service.  With the ‘body corporate’ requirement of the Act, the new service is able to employ staff in addition to involving volunteers in their work. They will be able to contract out functions while remaining accountable for the public funding they receive. There are a number of options regarding how this corporate structure can be created upon which views are sought.