Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation from Healthwatch Slough representatives about activity and progress since coming into being on 1^st April 2013.  As the new independent consumer champion for health and social care services, it was the aim of Healthwatch to give advice and signpost people to information to help them make choices about care and to give residents a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided locally.

The Committee was advised of the make-up of the Healthwatch Board that had been appointed and the staff engaged.  A good deal of work had been done to set up the new organisation including induction training, establishing robust terms of reference and effective governance, engaging in the regional partnership with neighbouring Healthwatch organisations and developing a strategy on how to become Slough’s independent consumer champion.  Meetings had been held with all the key providers and projects had commenced on mapping access to GP appointments in Slough, sensory needs and Wexham Park Hospital.

The following points arose from discussion and questions from members:

• The Panel was disappointed to note that no detailed work on a business plan for Healthwatch Slough had been undertaken.  The aim was to finalise the business plan early in the financial year 2014/15.
• The interim action plan for the remainder of 2013/14 included for the recruitment of Community Champions, a formal launch of Healthwatch Slough (for which advice and assistance from the Council’s Communications team was offered), appointment of lay members and establishing and sharing key priorities.
• The number of complaints received to date was low, which may be due to the slow start-up.  Experience showed that contacts or expressions of concern about issues did not always reach the status of a complaint unless the complainant could be supported and assisted in articulating their complaint.  Some complaints were simply signposted to the relevant care service to deal with directly.
• A total of 21 complaints had been received about Wexham Park Hospital on issues such as cancelled appointments, dignity or privacy in relation to the care received, delays in diagnosis etc.  These were all areas that Healthwatch was keen to follow up and seek positive outcomes.
• There had been delays in finalising the contract between Healthwatch and the Council but it was hoped this would be signed shortly.
• It would be useful for the Council to have regular reports from Healthwatch covering the main areas of complaints submitted, the findings from any recent reports/investigations, areas where difficulties had occurred, and details of current workstreams and projects to be undertaken.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Healthwatch representatives be thanked for their presentation.

(b)  That Healthwatch be requested to report to the Panel with their business plan early in 2014/15.