Health Scrutiny Panel

Past Work

The panel receives updates from the local Primary Care Trust (PCT), the last such update was a presentation from the PCT and a local GP on the new Choose & Book system, which allows patients to decide when and where to receive their treatment. (For more on Choose & Book follow this link www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk/ ).

Previously the panel has been involved in a joint scrutiny project on Tackling Obesity. The review was a joint project with Kent County Council NHS Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Dartford & Gravesham Council, and Tonbridge & Malling Council. The review received evidence from a variety of national experts, and visited each district in turn to look at what was happening there to combat the causes of obesity.

Another aspect of the panels work is to monitor the changes in the NHS structure and comment on how this will affect our district.

When the panel responded to consultation in March, it highlighted the issue of patient and public involvement, and vowed to keep a watch on future progress.

In September members considered the Department of Health’s plans for the future of patient and public involvement, and were concerned at the proposals.

Before the new arrangements the nine Primary Care Trusts and the four Acute Hospital Trusts in Kent each had their own Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPIF). It was through these that patients were represented and could monitor the quality of service. And the PPIF had the right to inspect premises where services are delivered.

The Local Involvement Network (LINk), to represent all patients in Kent has now replaced the PPIFs The LINks will be independent from Kent County Council, but it is the authority's responsibility to appoint an organisation that will 'host' them. The selection of the host organisation is currently underway.

The LINks scheme will:

aim to represent everyone in the community - especially those not currently being heard
have the power to investigate issues of concern, request information and get a response, enter and view services, write reports and recommendations, and refer issues to local councillors
provide a one-stop shop for the community to engage with care professionals and vice versa

However, the panel is concerned that this will greatly reduce the influence that patients and the public will have over services. The panel was concerned that one group representing the views of 1.4 million people would find it hard to represent local people.

The panel raised the issue as an urgent item at a meeting of the full council who agreed with their concerns and instructed the Chief Executive to write to the Department of Health outlining the issues and asking for clarification. The Health Scrutiny Panel will be keeping a watching brief to ensure the best outcomes for the people of the Canterbury district.