Issue - meetings

Further to Minute No. 76 of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 10th April, 2013, Mr. Naveen Judah attended the meeting and gave a presentation about the recently established Healthwatch organisation in the Rotherham Borough. The presentation included the following salient issues:-

: Mr. Naveen Judah had been appointed as the Chair of Healthwatch Rotherham with effect from September 2013;

: it was intended that there should be a partnership approach in respect of the role of Healthwatch and the Health and Wellbeing Board;

: Healthwatch, as a successor organisation to the LINk (Local Involvement Network), is to be a consumer champion for health and social care (a role whose importance was reinforced by the Francis Report, the independent inquiry into care provided by the mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust);

: ensuring the patient’s voice is influential in the planning and improvement of health care provision (to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community);

: the implications of the Winterbourne View Joint Improvement Programme and the commitments made nationally that individuals should receive personalised care and support in appropriate community settings;

: the NHS England Call to Action – with neighbourhoods and communities stating the type of services they need from the NHS;

: endeavouring to establish good practice in the provision of health care services;

: the importance of what happens at a local level eg: working in accordance with the priorities of Rotherham’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012 – 2015;

: establishing the appropriate structure for Healthwatch Rotherham, because different structures are being put in place for Healthwatch organisations around the country;

: details of the Healthwatch Rotherham business model and staffing structure were displayed (Healthwatch has only a finite resources); the organisation will also utilise a number of volunteers;

: engaging with the community in many forms; benchmarking with similar communities; identifying local issues and priorities;  asking for issues to be investigated, for later consideration by the Health and Wellbeing Board;

: Healthwatch Rotherham is now based in premises at High Street, Rotherham, which helps with raising the profile of this new organisation.

The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the level of assistance which could be provided for Healthwatch Rotherham, especially with regard to specific project work. Information (such as newsletters and posters) about Healthwatch Rotherham could be displayed in GP surgeries and other areas so as to attract the attention of the public. It was noted that effective day-to-day contact had already been established between Healthwatch Rotherham and public health service providers, in order that all organisations may contribute to and benefit from the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Health and Wellbeing Board thanked Naveen Judah for his informative presentation.

Clare Burton, Operational Commissioner, presented an update on the recent OJEU tender process for Healthwatch Rotherham.

A preferred provider had not been appointed as there had been no bids of sufficient quality to move to the awarding of a contract.  A proposed way forward was set out in the report submitted to ensure that there was a Healthwatch Rotherham in place by the 1^st April, 2013.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the outcome of the OJEU tender process be noted.

(2)  That the proposal to re-tender the Service, as set out in the report submitted, be approved.

(3)  That further progress reports be submitted in due course.

(Janet Wheatley and Gordon Laidlaw disclosed disclosable pecuniary interests in the above item and withdrew from the meeting.)