The Healthier Communities Select Committee is responsible
for monitoring, reviewing and making recommendations about a wide
range of local health matters.
It gives local councillors the opportunity to question and
influence the work of the health bodies in Lewisham, including
hospitals, GPs and the council.
Local NHS bodies have a legal duty to consult the
committee about any proposed large change or development of
services in the borough, and the committee has the power to ask the
Council to refer its views to the Secretary of State.
The committee gives councillors the opportunity to hear
the views of local people, interest groups, and other relevant
organisations, such as Healthwatch.
The committee chooses the health-related issues it wants
to focus on each year and holds five meetings, which are open to
the public. The agenda and papers for each
meeting are published online in advance.