Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development updating the Scrutiny Board on the arrangements for establishing a local HealthWatch organisation in Leeds from April 2013.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report updating the Board on the arrangements for establishing a local Healthwatch organisation in Leeds from April 2013.

In attendance to assist Members with their questions were:

-  Cllr. Lisa Mulherin (Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing) – Leeds City Council

-  Rob Kenyon (Head of Partnerships and Organisational Effectiveness) – Leeds City Council, Adult Social Services

-  Janet Somers (Consultation and Involvement Officer) – Leeds City Council, Adult Social Services

-  Jess Parker – (Business Development Director) – Touchstone)

-  JagdeepPassan (Chief Executive) – Leeds Involving People

-  Jon Beech (Mobilisation Manager) – Touchstone.

Apologies were received from Cllr. Lucinda Yeadon (Executive Board Member for Adult Social Care) due to a prior engagement.

The Chair opened the item by making reference to the key questions previously identified by the Scrutiny Board prior to the procurement process for local HealthWatch.  By reference, the Chair identified the following questions as being particularly relevant to the discussion:

·  How will you address the challenge of raising awareness of HealthWatch’s role?

·  How would you plan to develop and grow a “representative” body?

·  How will you be inclusive of the “harder to reach/hear” groups?

·  How can you demonstrate that you will recruit officers who have a genuine interest in health and social care?

·  How will you assure the independence of HealthWatch so that it is able to robustly challenge the Council as a service provider and commissioner?

·  How will you determine the priorities of the new body?

·  How will you build partnership relationships e.g. with the Scrutiny Board (Health And Wellbeing and Adult Social Care) and (if appropriate) how will you demonstrate skills in complaints advocacy and resource providing support at all stages of a complaint?

The Head of Partnerships and Organisational Effectiveness addressed the Board updating Members on the procurement of local Healthwatch organisation for Leeds (to be known as Healthwatch Leeds).  He highlighted the following points:

·  HealthWatch represented one of many new organisations as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

·  It was a statutory requirement for local authorities to procure HealthWatch.

·  The new arrangements provided an exciting but challenging opportunity to build on existing strengths of public and patient involvement and engagement across the City.

·  Thanks to all those involved to date in public and patient involvement and engagement across the City.

Reference was also made to some of the difficulties associated with the procurement timescales due to the availability and timing of the release of national guidance. The Head of Partnerships and Organisational Effectiveness closed his opening remarks by thanking Members of the Board for their continued interest and involvement in public and patient involvement and engagement across the City.

It was reported that the Government funding for local HealthWatch had not been ‘ring-fenced’ but the Council had given a commitment to use the resources for the intended purpose.  It was reported that his was not an approach universally adopted across England.

The Board heard from the Business Development Director – Touchstone who outlined the future plans for Healthwatch. Members of the Scrutiny Board were assured about the transition from Leeds Local Involvement Network (LINk) to Healthwatch Leeds was considered a priority. The Scrutiny Board was also informed about the initial work plan for HealthWatch Leeds during the mobilisation period (i.e. prior to 1 April 2013), which included:

·  Clarification meetings with the Council.

·  Working with existing LINk members and staff.

·  Working through Leeds LINk legacy project files.

The Chief Executive (Leeds Involving People) addressed the Board and informed Members that Healthwatch would build on the legacy of LINk and that the focus would be on ensuring the service needs of people are met.

The Mobilisation Manager (Touchstone) informed the Board about how HealthWatch Leeds (as a new organisation) would  operate and the values that it would adopt, including:

·  Working in collaboration with others.

·  Building on the positives from previous work (i.e. the legacy of LINk).

·  Being accountable, transparent and specific.

·  Providing constructive challenge by using the knowledge, skills and experience of service users.

The Chief Executive (Leeds Involving People) advised that it would be important for HealthWatch Leeds to build, develop and maintain relationships with HealthWatch England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in order to help provide constructive, powerful and evidence based challenge.

Members of the Scrutiny Board raised a range of issues and sought assurance across a number of areas, including:

·  Failings associated with Mid Staffordshire recently highlighted through the Francis Inquiry report.  In response, it was recognised that it was important for all stakeholders to share information.  It was also highlighted that a shift in cultural was needed across organisational boundaries – moving towards more supportive, constructive and non-punitive relationships.  Reference was also made to the HealthWatch Leeds Performance Outcomes (detailed in appendix 2 of the report presented to the Scrutiny Board). 

·  The essential ‘patient champion’ role of HealthWatch Leeds and the transition establishing HealthWatch Leeds, from the previous arrangements and structures established through Leeds LINk, In response, there were some shared concerns about the impact of the nationally driven timescales, but it was reported that the Council and HealthWatch Leeds were well placed for move forward, particularly compared to other arrangements across the region.  It was highlighted that priorities would be agreed with the commissioners (i.e. Adult Social Care), however it was also recognised that arrangements would still be in development by 1 April 2013.

·  The relationship between the local HealthWatch and advocacy functions and why the functions were split (in Leeds).  It was highlighted that smaller (local authority) areas had tended to combine the local HealthWatch/ complaints advocacy functions.  However, in Leeds, a duty to share information had been built into the arrangements and there would be an early discussion about an information protocol.

·  Coordination of partners’ activities across the Touchstone consortium – and associated governance and structural arrangements. Members sought assurance that the complex matrix of involvement with other organisations and groups would be co-ordinated.  In the short-term, it was highlighted that during the mobilisation period, a mapping exercise (around existing/ on-going consultations) would be undertaken. It was also important to work with Leeds LINk in terms of its legacy document in order to help identify immediate priorities.  In the longer-term, the aim would be to use the existing network arrangements while attempting to simplify engagement processes and structures.

·  Organisational structure of HealthWatch Leeds.  It was outlined that the budget for HealthWatch Leeds was around £600k / annum, which included a specific allocation for signposting and providing advice to service users. It was highlighted that there was a memorandum of understanding between partners of the consortium, around roles and responsibilities.  In terms of organisation structure, it was confirmed that this was stil being finalised – but would include the transfer of 3 posts from the former LINk host organisation (Shaw Trust).  It was agreed to provide a more detailed outline of the organisational structure to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Board.

·  Key messages to current members of Leeds LINk during the transitional period and beyond.  The involvement and contribution of LINk members and volunteers is valued and a desire for all current LINk members to become involved in the work of HealthWatch Leeds.  It was highlighted that the impartiality of HealthWatch Leeds (from service providers) would be a key feature of the organisation.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(ii)  That a future report be submitted outlining the organisational structure and associated roles within HealthWatch Leeds.