Agenda item - Healthwatch Brighton & Hove: Current and Planned Activities

Presentation by Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, on the Healthwatch work programme (copy attached).

38.1    This item was introduced by Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of Healthwatch Brighton & Hove. Mr Bowden told the committee that he had circulated a list of activities that Healthwatch has undertaken in the past year. The list was by no means complete, but gives an indication of the volume and the breadth of Healthwatch activity. Although Healthwatch is not primarily a campaigning group, it nonetheless has been engaged in pushing for specific outcomes in certain respects: e.g. for maintaining GP provision at New Larchwood, and in lobbying for public toilet provision.

38.2    Mr Bowden also noted that Healthwatch receives a large volume of concerns about GP services, and particularly about problems people face in getting an in-person GP appointment. HOSC might wish to scrutinise this issue, and potentially also look at maternity and mental health, and at dentistry. The Chair noted that there would be an item on primary care at the April 2023 HOSC meeting and NHS colleagues would be asked to address GP numbers and the issue of virtual Vs face to face appointments. The other areas raised by Mr Bowden would be considered as part of the future committee work programme.

38.3    Cllr West thanked everyone at Healthwatch for their hard and effective work. Cllr West noted that there has been a really worrying rise in poor health in recent years, which he ascribed to a Conservative government presiding over an increasing wealth gap, destroying the healthcare system, and to Brexit. Mr Bowden responded to say that he felt unable to comment on this, but would like to note that Healthwatch is suffering badly from inflation.

38.4    Mr Bowden noted that Healthwatch has to use its powers carefully in the current climate. For example, Healthwatch has enter & view powers, but recognises that healthcare settings are operating under intense pressures, and consequently uses these powers very carefully so as not to add to the burden. Healthwatch is also navigating the issue of being part of the Sussex Integrated Care System at the same time as being an independent watchdog.

38.5    The committee thanked Healthwatch staff and volunteers for all their much appreciated work over the past year.