COUNCILLOR IAN STEPHENS, CHAIRMAN, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

At the meeting on 19 February 2004 the Select Committee made a number of recommendations to local health bodies in response to the proposals set out in the Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy.

These recommendations were subsequently supported by the full Council on 23 February and were then submitted to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority, the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust (NHS Trust) for consideration.

The PCT and the NHS Trust have now considered the Council’s recommendations as part of the analysis of their overall consultation process and have produced a report that outlines the way forward. This report has been submitted to the PCT and NHS Trust Boards for approval. The report is attached as an Appendix.

A representative from the Strategic Health Authority has also been invited to attend this meeting to provide feedback on the recommendations.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To consider and examine the Local Healthcare Strategy Consultation Report

BACKGROUND

The Local Government Act 2000 gave Local Authorities a wider role in health improvement within their local communities. With effect from 1 January 2003 the Health and Social Care Act of 2001 provided a more explicit power for local authorities with responsibility for Social Services to scrutinise health services within the authority’s area. That responsibility now lies with this Select Committee.

In December 2002 the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Strategic Health Authority (HIOWSHA) published a number of proposals for the development of a strategic framework for the future configuration of local health services entitled HealthFit. The publication of the Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy marked the local NHS response to the proposals contained in Healthfit.

As the proposals setout in HealthFit were deemed to be of a substantial nature, the Select Committee agreed to provide a response, along with Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, to these proposals for the HIOWSHA through the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee.

However, due to the importance of the proposals contained in the Local Healthcare Strategy, the Select Committee also agreed to provide a separate response on these both to the HIOWSHA and to local NHS health bodies. Wide-ranging consultation with expert witnesses, key stakeholders and members of the public was carried-out in order to produce a number of detailed, evidence-based recommendations.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Select Committee agreed to undertake its consultation through a series of Select Committee meetings specifically arranged around the themes contained in the Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy. In addition, a ‘sweep-up’ meeting was held at Medina Theatre at the end of January to invite views from anyone unable to attend an earlier meeting. Use was also made of the local press and the Council’s website to ensure that all members of the community could become involved.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The new overview and scrutiny responsibility for health is linked to the Council’s Corporate Objectives, in particular “Improving health, housing and quality of life for all”.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

There are no crime and disorder implications arising from this report.

This report has been written in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2001, the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 and the Directions to Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Health Scrutiny Functions)

APPENDICES ATTACHED

Appendix – Local Healthcare Strategy Consultation Report

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Draft Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy

IW Council’s Response to the Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy

Local Healthcare Strategy Consultation Report

Contact Point: Select Committee and Best Value Support,

Tel 823801, e-mail scrutiny@iow. gov.uk

COUNCILLOR IAN STEPHENS

CHAIRMAN, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE