Agenda item - Healthwatch Annual Report

David Liley, Chief Executive, Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, will present.

33.1    This item was introduced by David Liley, Healthwatch Brighton & Hove Chief Executive.

33.2    Mr Liley told members that 2016/17 had been a very difficult year for local NHS services and this was reflected in the Healthwatch annual report. However, things have subsequently improved in a number of areas.

33.3    2016/17 saw Healthwatch Brighton & Hove significantly raise its game. For example, Healthwatch was instrumental in influencing the CQC inspection report of Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals Trust which placed the trust in special measures. Healthwatch also played a significant role in holding Patient Transport Services (PTS) to account, interviewing many service users (particularly of renal services) and using this insight to put pressure on service commissioners to deal with the problems with the PTS contract.

33.4    Cllr Deane welcomed the report and asked a question about Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) outpatient services which are criticised in the Healthwatch annual report. Mr Liley responded by saying that services were in a parlous state in 2016/17, but have improved significantly in subsequent months. Healthwatch has been heavily involved in this process, particularly in terms of the redesign of the Patient Experience Panel. Mr Liley offered to circulate information on this work.

33.5    The Chair thanked Mr Liley for his report and for all the work that Healthwatch has undertaken in recent months.