Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader, Adult Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/140

Contact: John Jackson, Director for Social & Community Services, Tel: (01865) 323574

Report by Director for Social & Community Services.

The recent White Paper and other related consultation papers set out a whole series of radical proposals for change to the NHS. The White Paper is now out for consultation with responses required by 11 October 2010. The proposals can be grouped together under three main headings:

Adult Social Care –  A report by the Director of Social & Community Services entitled ‘Health White Paper’ is attached at CA8a).

Public Health

A report by the Director of Public Health is attached at CA8(b).

Implications for Oxfordshire County Council and the Implementation of the Proposals – to include the implications for the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee and for the Health & Well Being Partnership Board – current and future. A report by the Health Scrutiny Advisor is attached at CA8(c).

Cabinet Members are asked to give their comments on the ideas set out in this report.

Cabinet considered a report (CA8) on the proposed response to the recent White Paper that is out for consultation with responses required by 11 October 2010.

Councillor Hannaby, Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Services thanked officers for their efforts and commented that the Liberal Democrats supported the proposals in principle. The principles of putting people first and accountability were welcome. She supported the comments of the Scrutiny Committees and particularly supported the continuation of the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the final point made by the Adult Services Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services introduced the report and supporting papers and drew attention to the options outlined on page 157. He supported the comments relating to separating the commissioning and scrutiny functions. Concerns around GP commissioning would be included in the response. Generally the proposals did provide an opportunity if the County including partners engaged early and took a holistic approach. The Director of Social & Community Services indicated that there had been a great deal of cross party agreement.

RESOLVED:             to note the report of the Director for Social & Community Services and that the comments made be taken into account in the final response.