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Notice of Motion
 
This
council notes:
 

1)   
The Health Secretary’s proposal to abolish the
independent local health and social care champion Healthwatch and
to give health scrutiny powers over to Integrated Care Boards
(ICBs). This will mean that the new Sussex and Surrey Heartlands
ICB would take on Brighton & Hove Healthwatch’s function
locally next April. Social Care scrutiny powers would move to
Councils.

 

2)   
That 35,000 residents have been supported by
Healthwatch Brighton & Hove since 2013.
 

3)   
Concerns raised by Brighton & Hove Older
People’s Council about the perceived impact the
government’s proposal will have on elderly people.
 

4)   
The letter by Gary Wilkinson, Chair of Brighton
& Hove’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee raising
the committee’s concerns about the work Healthwatch does in
ensuring people have up to date information, sharing people’s
experiences with commissioners and supporting individuals to
navigate a complex healthcare landscape.
 

5)   
The campaign led by local Healthwatch teams to
oppose this proposal and to ask the Health Secretary to undertake a
consultation with the public to codesign the future of scrutiny
services.

This
council resolves to:
 

1)   
Requests the leader of the council to ensure
stronger democratic accountability and improved senior
representation of elected members within strategic decision-making
bodies following the formation of the new Sussex and Surrey
ICB.

 

2)   
Requests the leader of the council to work with
existing upper tier authorities, new Mayor and unitary authorities
under LGR to develop a common approach to capture the voice and
viewpoints of users of the local health system and where possible
to maintain local oversight.