SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 8
JULY 2003
ARRANGEMENTS
FOR RESPONDING TO THE HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTH AUTHORITY ON HEALTHFIT
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT
REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
The committee needs to put arrangements in place for Members to respond to the HealthFit agenda and establish a joint committee with the three other unitary authorities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Health Authority’s (HIOWHA) area in order to consider any implications in full before making recommendations through each council’s overview and scrutiny committee.
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
To
debate and make recommendations.
BACKGROUND
Members are aware that the development of the HealthFit Programme may have significant impact on the shape and pattern of healthcare services for the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. To date, Members have concentrated on the services delivered on the Island, but there is also a need to consider these changes within a regional context, as many islanders may have to travel to the mainland to receive medical service and treatment.
This reports seeks Members’ views on establishing a joint committee for the purpose of considering HealthFit and scrutinising its implications and consequences for health services on the Island and Hampshire. The committee can then make recommendations to each authority’s select committee with responsibility for Health issues, in order to provide a response to HIOWHA on HealthFit.
The establishment of a working group will also act as a strategic point of contact with HIOWHA on HealthFit and the Strategic Health Authority. This should enable a more consistent and cohesive approach by all the local authorities when considering possible changes to service delivery.
Consideration must now be given to the composition of the joint committee. It is suggested that the membership could be as follows:
3 Hampshire County Council, one of whom should be a co-opted District Council Member (to enable representation from District Councils).
1 Isle of Wight Council
1 Southampton City Council.
The terms of reference for the joint committee will be considered and agreed in consultation with the other authorities. The joint committee should be allowed to pursue issues and seek relevant information on behalf of the four authorities. However, any formal response to the Health Authorities, local Trusts or Strategic Health Authority would only be made by the scrutiny committees of each of the four authorities after taking into consideration the conclusions and recommendations of the joint committee.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The overview and scrutiny responsibility for health issues is linked with 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 financial, legal and crime and disorder implications.
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
Hampshire County Council’s Health Review Committee – 5 June 2003.
Contact Point: Alistair R Drain, Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support
Telephone: 823801 email: [email protected]
A DRAIN
Head of Select
Committee and Best Value Support