| The Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations came into force on 1 January 2003. This gave Social Services Authorities the power to scrutinise local health service provision on behalf of local people.
Local Government can scrutinise and report on:-
- planning, provision and operation of health services
- health improvement issues
- health inequalities
- proposals by NHS Trusts for substantial developments or variations in service.
In line with the Government's expectation of closer working between the NHS and Adult Social Care Services and joint commissioning of these services, the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Select Committee has responsibility for the overview of services which look after the health and social care needs of people in Cheshire. This includes local NHS organisations but the Committee does not seek to manage the performance of the NHS or to duplicate arrangements for advocacy on behalf of patients and service users, but rather to consider health issues from the point of view of the local community. The Committee’s work can impact upon a wide range of organisations with a part to play in keeping people healthy.
The Committee also has statutory responsibilities for seeking assurances that local people are appropriately involved and consulted about proposals for any significant changes to health services in the County.
Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Arrangements in Cheshire
In Cheshire, Scrutiny has been designed to make sure local health issues are examined in the best way possible.
The County Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Select-Committee – monitors and scrutinises commissioning and delivery of services to ensure that all sections of Cheshire's communities have equal access to health and adult social care and an equal chance of successful outcomes. It also has the power to make recommendations on any proposed big changes to health services in the County, even those being planned outside Cheshire but which could impact on Cheshire residents.
The Cheshire and Wirral Joint Committee - monitors and scrutinises services provided by the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Foundation NHS Trust such as mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.
Scrutiny Reviews
How you can become involved in Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny
Scrutiny is all about working together to improve the lives of the people of Cheshire. To achieve this we welcome the input of any member of the public who would like to attend meetings or contribute opinions on the work of the Scrutiny Committees.
Attending meetings - Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny meetings are held in public, everyone is welcome to attend and listen to the proceedings.
Any elector in the County can ask the Committee Chairman, at an ordinary meeting, a question if it is first sent to the County Secretary at County Hall to arrive at least three clear working days before the meeting. (You need to ignore the day of the meeting, the day you submit the question, any Bank Holidays and weekends in calculating the three days).
If you require more information on the work of Cheshire’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee please contact:-
Chris Wilson, Cheshire County Council on
Telephone – 01244 972445
Email – chris.wilson@cheshire.gov.uk |