The establishment of a Local Healthwatch is a statutory requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Having received Cabinet agreement to establish a Local Healthwatch as part of the Public Health Divisional Plan on 16 April 2012, no further authority is required as per the Executive Scheme of Delegation to officers, as at Appendix 2 Part 4 of the Council’s constitution, and therefore should not have appeared on the Forthcoming Executive Decisions list.
For information the Establishment of the Local Healthwatch has twice been considered by the Policy and resources cabinet Committee on 11 July and 27 September 2012 and the Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board on 19 September 2012.
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To agree proposals to establish Local Health Watch in Kent as
required by the Health and social Care Act 2012
How the decision relates to BS4K and
Corporate Objectives
Local Health Watch will provide a crucial component of health and
social care services in Kent as the voice of patients and public.
It relates directly to KCC priorities of Putting the Citizen in
Control, improving health and social care services and being
responsive to our population and communities.
Impact/costs and risks of proposed decision
Funding of Local Health Watch is expected to amount to
c.£1.3 million. Final financial
allocation is still to be confirmed by the DH (probably December
2012) but procurement processes need to be initiated before this in
time to establish the service in April 2013. Undue delays in
implementation could result in failure
to meet statutory responsibilities.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Abandoned
Notice of proposed decision first published: 31/12/2012
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Consultation process
N/A
Notify all Members of the Council
Consultees
N/A – This is a government requirement and the proposal has been subject to a national consultation as part of the NHS and Social Care Act.
Aims and level(s) of consultation (KCC consultation levels attached)
Key consultee groups
Start and finish dates of consultation.
Equalities Impact Assessment included in the consultation documentation. Please state where this can be found.
Date of publication of consultation outcomes and updated Equalities Impact Assessment
Informing Only (Who and when)
Has the matter already been discussed by a Cabinet Committee? If not when will be it discussed by the Cabinet Committee and the date of the meeting
To be discussed at the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 11/07/2012 and 27/09/2012.
(Has also been discussed at Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Corporate Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee).
Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?
Reference to establishing Local Health Watch is contained in the Public Health Business Plan
Which Members and electoral Divisions are affected by this proposed decision? Is it All Members?
All Members
Financial implications: Julie Van Ruyckevelt AD of Patient Experience and Partnerships, NHS Kent and Medway Interim Head of Citizen Engagement for Health, KCC julie.vanruyckevelt@wkpct.nhs.uk julie.vanruyckevelt@nhs.net 01732 376061
Legal implications: 12/01943
Equalities implications: The budget for Local Health Watch is well in excess of £ 1 million and the service will operate across the whole county.