PAPER E

 

SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 7 APRIL 2003

 

HEALTHFIT PROJECT PLAN

 

REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

 

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

 

For the committee to examine and identify each stage of the process within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthfit project map.  Furthermore, for the committee with sole responsibility for overview and scrutiny of health issues, to determine the most appropriate time to make comments and or recommendations that can be incorporated into any final healthfit plan.

 

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To scrutinise the local configured options that have resulted from the Healthfit Project and make comments and/or recommendations prior to the Draft Strategic Framework in September 2003.

BACKGROUND

 

The Local Government Act 2000 gave local authorities a wider role in health improvement and a responsibility to reduce health inequalities.  The act also aimed to promote economic, social and environmental well-being and to develop the overview and scrutiny role within a new modernised political structure.  The revised political arrangements within local authorities have become so established that with effect from 1 January 2003, new Government regulations transferred the responsibility of overview and scrutiny to unitary authorities.  At the same time a duty has been placed upon Health Authorities to co-operate with these new political arrangements.

 

On 11 December 2002 the Isle of Wight Council approved the recommendation that the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee add the overview and scrutiny of health issues to its existing terms of reference.  The implication for the committee, in terms of increased workload, is potentially huge and this situation is being monitored by the Select Committee itself, the Co-ordinating Committee as well as the Select Committee Support team.  To date, the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee has undertaken some specialise health scrutiny training with personnel from INLOGOV.

 

Healthfit Timetable – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority

 

Locally, the Strategic Health Authority, together with the Primary Care Trust and the NHS Healthcare Trust (St Mary’s) has commenced a major review of the way that services are being delivered.  This review could have significant implications in the delivery of Health Services on the Island.  Publicity surrounding this review has been extensive and the Council and local MP arranged a well-attended public meeting in Medina Theatre in early February 2003 to listen to progress to date and make comments about some of the proposals for future service delivery.  The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority have provided a timetable for the Healthfit Project, breaking the major milestones into 5 separate stages.  Presently, the timetable indicates that we are within Stage 2.  During the Development Day held on 27 February 2003, Select Committee Members decided that they should continue to monitor progress of the Healthfit Project through the various milestones, but only consider the outcomes from the testing and consultation programmes when draft plans will be available, scheduled for September 2003.  At that time the Select Committee will determine the most appropriate course of action and response.

 

Stage

Timescale

Issue

Lead

 

 

 

 

Stage 1

Autumn 2002

Forces and Drivers for Change

SHA

 

 

 

 

Stage 2

Jan-Mar 2003

Clinical Options

SHA

 

 

 

 

Stage 3

Apr-Jun 2003

Locality Engagement (clinicians and public)

PCTs

 

Jul 2003

Testing Options

PCTs

 

 

 

 

 

Aug-Sep 2003

Informal Consultation

 

 

Sep 2003

Simulation Exercise

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 4

Oct 2003

Developing Plans for Consultation

SHA

 

Nov-Jan 2004

Formal Consultation

SHA

 

 

 

 

Stage 5

Jan-Mar 2004

Planning for Change

SHA

 

From Apr 2004

Phased Implementation

SHA

 

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

 

The new overview and scrutiny responsibility for health issues 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 legal or crime and disorder implications.

 

At this stage the Government has not identified any new funding to enable local authorities to undertake this duty.  The Council has written to the Secretary of State for Health, along with many other local authorities, highlighting this situation.  The future demise of the Community Health Council in September this year has further exacerbated this situation and it is hoped that some level of funding might be made available at a future date.  Currently, this work is being serviced through existing resources within the Select Committee and Best Value Team.

 

APPENDICES ATTACHED

 

None.

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

 

None used in the preparation of this report.

 

Contact Point: Alistair R Drain, Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support

 Telephone: 823801 e-mail: [email protected]