Agenda item

Steve Inett (Chief Executive, Healthwatch Kent) was in attendance for this item.

(1)       Steve Inett presented Healthwatch Kent’s Annual Report.  He highlighted the following points:

§  The report sought to present a balance between activities taken by Healthwatch Kent (HWK) and the outcomes that had been achieved.  This reflected the collaborative approach Healthwatch endeavoured to take when working with the Council and the NHS.

§  HWK’s 70 volunteers were reviewing their role to identify how they could offer best value.  Mr Inett commented that their commitment was excellent, supported by HWK’s recent receipt of the Investors in Volunteers award.

§  HWK’s budget during the period covered by the Annual Report had been at £666,000 (10% reduction from the year before) and that this budget had since been reduced by a further 20% to £511,000.  Mr Inett explained that some of the funding had previously been put aside to support engagement work within their operational budget but that this area had largely had to cease because of the budget cuts.

(2)       Responding to questions, Mr Inett explained that work was ongoing to shift the public focus on to the Healthwatch volunteers, as historically the paid staff had been more visible through organisation engagement.

(3)       Members commented on the positive work conducted by Healthwatch, noting in particular the progress made with engaging with Gypsy and Traveller communities.  Mr Inett confirmed that engaging with seldom heard communities was a key priority for Healthwatch.  Part of this work involved working in different districts to enable engagement across the county and across all the protected characteristics.  He also noted the support provided by KCC’s Gypsy and Traveller service in engaging with the community.  Mr Inett highlighted that the work with the seldom heard communities had led to the development of the Help Card which allowed those in need to discreetly ask for assistance.  He noted that that the majority of CCGs and practices have signed up to this programme.  Linked with this activity, Mr Inett highlighted Healthwatch’s support of the Accessible Information Standard from NHS England.  Healthwatch had requested updates from all NHS trusts on how they assess people’s additional communication and support needs, as it was now a legal requirement to do so.  He advised the Committee that Healthwatch have been visiting Kent hospitals to test staff’s knowledge of these processes.

(4)       Responding to questions, Mr Inett confirmed that the funding for Healthwatch Kent was from the Department for Health, administered and commissioned via Kent County Council.

(5)       In response to a question regarding the new physical disability forum, Mr Inett advised that the forum was very successful and that attendance varied depending on the types of meetings being held.  Some sessions were open sessions to gather public views from a wider group and that these were supported by smaller working group sessions aimed at developing plans for progressing the issues raised through the wider forum.  He highlighted the positive work already achieved; recommendations had been shared with relevant agencies, including the promoting of research and assessments conducted by other organisations that have struggled to connect with appropriate authorities.

(6)       RESOLVED that the report be noted and Healthwatch Kent be requested to provide an update to the Committee annually.

Mr Chard, in accordance with his Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as a Director of Engaging Kent, withdrew from the meeting for this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.