To consider a work programme for the Committee. (A report will be circulated shortly).

The Committee considered the formulation of a work programme for itself.

The report noted that following the initial induction programme of visits and informal meetings with Health bodies a work programme had emerged structured around three main areas: Managing public expectations and public involvement, improving public health, and access and waiting.  The report suggested activities the Committee could undertake within each area.  The Committee would also respond to major consultations as required. 

It was acknowledged that the resourcing of the work programme would need to be considered.  It was proposed that reviews be costed and resources assigned when the detailed scoping of individual reviews was undertaken.

Within this framework the Chairman proposed that sub-groups be established to look at delayed discharges, car parking at the County Hospital, communication and morale and the proposals relating to the ear, nose and throat Service.  He also suggested that consideration also be given to establishing special relationships with key health partners.   He also proposed that, in principle, Worcestershire County Council should be invited to enter into an informal agreement under which it would lead on scrutiny of the Ambulance Trust

In the course of discussion the following other principal points were made:

·         That the Committee would regard the proposals affecting the ear, nose and throat service to be a substantial variation upon which it therefore had a statutory right to be consulted.

·         It was noted that from time to time it would be beneficial to the Committee in carrying out its work to be able to draw on independent experts with professional knowledge of the health service.

·         It was understood that recruitment to the Patients Forums was proving difficult and suggested that information be circulated to Members to enable them to publicise the Forums and encourage people to apply.

·         The Chairman stated his intention to work with Worcestershire County Council to sponsor a regional conference for all the Health Scrutiny Committees within the Strategic Health Authority’s area, to which surrounding authorities would also be invited.

RESOLVED:

That   (a)   a draft work programme be prepared in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman taking account of views expressed by the Committee and reported to the Committee’s next meeting for final approval;

(b)  in the meantime Sub-Groups be proposed as follows:

·        Delayed discharges: focusing particularly on transfer from community hospital to home: a group comprising those Members who serve on both the Health Scrutiny Committee and the Social Care and Housing Scrutiny Committee (Councillors Mrs JA Hyde, R Mills, Ms GA Powell) and Councillors GW Davis and G Lucas, chaired by Councillor Mrs PA Andrews;

·         Car parking at the County Hospital:  a group comprising Mrs WU Attfield, TM James, Brig P Jones and JB Williams;

·         Communication and Morale (Councillors Brig P Jones and WJS Thomas.)

·         Proposals affecting the ear nose and throat Service (Councillors TM James, Brig P Jones, G Lucas, WJS Thomas and JB Williams)

(c)      consideration be given at the next meeting to establishing special relationships with key health partners principally involved in the areas of consultation and choice and arrangements for monitoring issue arising from the Climbie case; and

(d) in principle, in agreement with Worcestershire CC scrutiny of the Ambulance Trust be led by that Council, subject to any areas of specific relevance to Herefordshire being considered as appropriate by this Committee, with Councillor Mills to maintain a watching brief.