Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached report:-

RECOMMENDED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board, the Chief Executive, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution) determined not to submit a Local HealthWatch Pathfinders proposal.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, on Local HealthWatch Pathfinders.

            RESOLVED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board, the Chief Executive, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution) determined not to submit a Local HealthWatch Pathfinders proposal.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Communities on Local HealthWatch Pathfinders.

            The Board was advised that Local Involvement Network (LINks), currently in place, were contractually managed and administered by St Helens and Halton Voluntary and Community Action, with each Borough having a separate Board. The Government had announced that HealthWatch would replace LINks and build on the current remit and strengthen the ways in which commissioners and providers took the views of patients and the public into account when improving the quality and safety of health and social care services.

            The report outlined the remit of Local HealthWatch subject to the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill. Local Authorities would continue their role as commissioners for Local HealthWatch as they did for LINks.

In March 2011, Local Authorities and their LINks had been invited to apply to become a Pathfinder.  HealthWatch Pathfinders would be able to test and challenge emerging models with and alongside other Local Authorities and LINks. However, the Council had already been accepted as an Early Implementer for the establishment of Health & Wellbeing Boards and had supported the GP Consortia Pathfinders.  As the Council was working with the new Mersey NHS Clusters and with Ashton, Wigan & Leigh NHS Trust and would shortly address the transfer of Public Health functions to the Council, supporting a further Pathfinder would stretch current Council Officer and Elected Member time. 

RESOLVED: That Council note that, after consultation with the Leader and Members of the Executive Board, the Chief Executive, under delegated powers (Matters of Urgency, Constitution) determined not to submit a Local HealthWatch Pathfinders proposal.