Issue - meetings

Council notes with concern that Oxfordshire Healthwatch and local Councils of Governors of Oxfordshire hospitals are to be abolished within a new Health and Social Care Act, and integrated into existing local departments, with queries diverted to the NHS App. 

The Council endorses the work of Healthwatch Oxfordshire for listening and helping  thousands of patients each year, recognising that many vulnerable residents do not use the NHS App. Their team shared patient and carer experiences in thirty eight reports influencing local improvements through the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Place Based Partnership and contributions to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

As part of the ten year NHS plan, Health and Wellbeing Boards are required to develop neighbourhood plans with NHS partners to shift more resource to prevention and from hospitals to a neighbourhood health service model. The financial, workforce and integration challenges are significant.  Patients and the public will need 

• A trusted and credible local body, to speak for patients, offering constructive challenge and supporting communities’ engagement
• their elected members and lower tier councils with relevant local knowledge engaged 
• Safe public spaces, including scrutiny, to speak up 

Council calls on the Leader and Cabinet to urgently consider how the Council working with NHS partners can safeguard and develop the Healthwatch function and engage and meaningfully consult with all local stakeholders to ensure the local delivery of national reforms at neighbourhood level best meet patient and community need.  

The motion was carried unanimously.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Hanna and seconded by Councillor Epps.

Following discussion, an electronic vote was taken. The motion was carried unanimously (56 votes in favour, none against, no abstentions) and will be referred to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

Council notes with concern that Oxfordshire Healthwatch and local Councils of Governors of Oxfordshire hospitals are to be abolished within a new Health and Social Care Act, and integrated into existing local departments, with queries diverted to the NHS App. 

The Council endorses the work of Healthwatch Oxfordshire for listening and helping  thousands of patients each year, recognising that many vulnerable residents do not use the NHS App. Their team shared patient and carer experiences in thirty eight reports influencing local improvements through the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Place Based Partnership and contributions to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

As part of the ten year NHS plan, Health and Wellbeing Boards are required to develop neighbourhood plans with NHS partners to shift more resource to prevention and from hospitals to a neighbourhood health service model. The financial, workforce and integration challenges are significant.  Patients and the public will need 

• A trusted and credible local body, to speak for patients, offering constructive challenge and supporting communities’ engagement
• their elected members and lower tier councils with relevant local knowledge engaged 
• Safe public spaces, including scrutiny, to speak up 

Council calls on the Leader and Cabinet to urgently consider how the Council working with NHS partners can safeguard and develop the Healthwatch function and engage and meaningfully consult with all local stakeholders to ensure the local delivery of national reforms at neighbourhood level best meet patient and community need.