Agenda item

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

(1)      Mr Inett began by the informing the committee that the report presented provided an overview of what Healthwatch Kent were delivering throughout the year. He highlighted the recent example of Wheelchair Services in Kent and joint working with the Committee and said that he would welcome more opportunity to carry out such working together.  He emphasised that the challenge for Healthwatch was that their style was to work collegiately with services and would raise concerns directly to find a resolution but would be interested to learn how items come in to the Committee.  He highlighted that qualitative feedback received by Healthwatch does not at times match the statistical evidence gathered so saw opportunities for future working.

(2)      Members enquired about Kent County Council’s Peoples’ Panels, STP involvement and disabled parking access engagement.  Mr Inett said that the Panels were instigated a few years ago in response to the social care transformation programme being undertaken at the Council.  He said that Healthwatch were concerned that the Council did not always have the networks to be able to talk to the public in a quick and easy way to be able to get a view on meaning and communication of proposals.  Mr Inett informed the Committee that the core membership would be sourced from the various forums and more diversity would be added when required.

(3)      Mr Inett said that as part of the STP, Healthwatch were asked to help set up a Patient and Public Advisory Group who met monthly, and which he Chairs.  He said that they look at strategic plans for the STP and had representatives attending STP workstreams with Mr Inett providing input at a senior level as part of the Programme Board on patient and public involvement.  Mr Inett highlighted that as a result the STP had agreed to adopt a co-production approach with the public and go beyond regular engagement on relevant workstreams.

(4)      Mr Inett said that Healthwatch had recently set up a neurological services forum focusing on the needs of patients when visiting some of the larger hospitals.  He said as part of the discussion disabled parking challenges were identified, an example being of a person attending an appointment on their own.   Mr Inett highlighted that issues around disabled parking were generally not uncommon and stated that parking at County Hall was at times challenging.

(5)      The Chair agreed to note those concerns and pass on Mr Inett’s comments to the relevant service.

(6)      A Member enquired about alternative reporting sources such as volunteer drivers.  Mr Inett welcomed that idea and said that they have an engagement process with community and voluntary groups but would consider ways to engage with this network.

(7)      The Chair concluded by saying the Committee were happy to work with Healthwatch to address areas of concern raised and on behalf of the Committee expressed appreciation for the work of Healthwatch volunteers.

(8)      RESOLVED that:

(a)       the report be noted;

(b)      the Committee express appreciation for the work of Healthwatch volunteers;

(c)       Healthwatch Kent be requested to provide an update to the Committee annually.