Issue - items at meetings - Healthwatch Introduction

93.1    Jane Viner, Healthwatch Manager, gave a progress report on Healthwatch. Healthwatch listens to Brighton & Hove citizens regarding their experiences of health and social care services, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. There had been a Healthwatch Transition Group, carrying forward the work of the former LINk; this had now closed down.

93.2    Referring to a question from the Youth Council co-optee at the previous item, Ms Viner said Healthwatch can work with children and young people but does not have the power to enter or view children’s’ social care services.

93.3    Information was being gathered on all helpline calls and other sources such as advocacy work, community spokes, community engagement work and letters in the press. Monthly reports on what the public are saying will inform Healthwatch work.

93.4    A Volunteer Co-ordinator and Helpline co-ordinator, Engagement andCommunications Co-ordinator and Intelligence and Projects Co-ordinator had been recruited. Ms Viner said that they will ensure that young people and others not traditionally used to having a voice will be involved. Following an open recruitment process a shortlist for an Independent Chair was being drawn up.

93.5    Healthwatch will have its own governing body that will itself decide what type of organisation it will become, e.g. a charity, community interest company etc. This is different from LINk that was supported by CVSF host. Healthwatch will develop its own work programme from intelligence that it has gathered. The public will be asked to help decide on the top themes; there will be an emphasis on community engagement.

93.6    Phase 3, implementation, involves working with the governing body to enable transfer of the contract from CVSF to the new Independent governing body.

93.7    Healthwatch can refer matters to overview and scrutiny. It was important to work together e.g. by informing each other of work programmes, and ensuring work plans are complementary without gaps or duplication.

93.8    Regarding questions about Healthwatch from two members of the public at the start of this meeting; there would be replies, separately from this meeting.

93.9           Ms Viner answered questions:

• The Independent Chair will have a strategic role. This is a paid position of around one day per week.
• Learning from the LINk legacy and from community input is, as planned, taking time.
• There are a range of alternatives for the structure of Healthwatch eg community interest company, charity etc.
• Healthwatch will have a pool of representatives who will attend key strategic meetings eg Health and Wellbeing Board, Trust Boards, HWOSC etc. 
• Healthwatch will have a value base to ensure it is representative of the public. It will look at the demographics of Brighton & Hove to work with all sectors.
• Healthwatch engagement worker will be looking at how best to engage with young people. Ofsted monitors children’s social services.

93.10  Members commented on the importance of Healthwatch being representative of patients/customers, and not workers in health or care services.

93.11  HWOSC welcomed the enthusiastic work and presentation; the Chair emphasised the importance of developing good working relationships between HWOSC and Healthwatch.