Frequently Asked questions
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- How will HOSC deal with any proposed changes to services in East Sussex hospitals?
- How can members of the public and patients be involved in the work of the HOSC?
- Do voluntary organisations have a say in the work of the HOSC?
- Is the HOSC politically controlled or biased?
- How are the District and Boroughs involved in health scrutiny?
- How much is health scrutiny costing?
- What is the legislation surrounding this function?
How will HOSC deal with any proposed changes to services in East Sussex hospitals?
Plans for health services, under the 'Fit for the Future' banner, are still being discussed. HOSC has learned that the final decision on where each service will be located is the responsibility of the PCTs. Nick Yeo, Chief Executive East Sussex PCTs assured HOSC that final decisions will take on board the views of all the stakeholders in the Local Health and Social Care Economy and members of the public.
Mr Yeo advised HOSC that the key considerations the Trust will use when drawing up options for consultation are:
• clinical standards and safety
• the right level of care
• affordability.
HOSC will monitor carefully the extent to which the Trust takes on board the public's view, especially if it conflicts with the Trust's preferred proposals. HOSC will consider proposals carefully when they emerge and will demand sufficient time for full public consultation. It will assess evidence to support the proposals put forward.
How can members of the public and patients be involved in the work of the HOSC?
Members of the public and patients (when appropriate) are consulted on health issues and matters that the HOSC review. Several methods are used to seek public opinion. These methods include questionnaires, focus groups, web-site consultations, direct interviews, through requests and appeals for information in the papers, television and radio. The HOSC also checks that the public has been consulted when an NHS body is undertaking a substantial development of the services in East Sussex. Members of the public can also attend the meetings of the HOSC to hear what is going on. The agendas and minutes of the HOSC are public documents.
Do voluntary organisations have a say in the work of the HOSC?
The East Sussex HOSC links with the Countywide voluntary organisations group who provide two of its members as advisors and non-voting members of the committee. At the same time whenever a review is taking place the appropriate voluntary organisations are consulted individually.
Is the HOSC politically controlled or biased?
The East Sussex Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee has 12 elected members with voting rights drawn from the County Council and the five District & Boroughs. There is no overall political majority. This ensures the committee is balanced and is truly working to a health improvement agenda for all people in East Sussex and not that determined by one political party. The HOSC is not answerable to the East Sussex Cabinet or County Council. Any report produced by the HOSC will go directly to the NHS bodies concerned.
How are the District and Boroughs involved in health scrutiny?
Each District and Borough has one elected member on the HOSC chosen by them. There is no other committee like this one that can scrutinise and investigate the health interests of the whole population of East Sussex. District & Borough representatives enjoy the same the same voting rights and opportunities to contribute as county council elected members on the HOSC.
How much is health scrutiny costing?
In its first year of operation the HOSC cost £83,928. The majority of this expenditure was for time spent on HOSC activities by East Sussex County Council officers and project managing the reviews. External project managers with particular expertise in the health and local government sectors were employed.
The budget for the HOSC is the second year (2004/2005) is £65,700. Each of the District and Borough councils have contributed £5,475 towards these costs. The slightly higher costs in the first year relate to one-off costs for establishing the webistie, additional training and additional communication costs in establishing the new role.
What is the legislation surrounding this function?
For details of the legislation and guidance go to the following links:
Local Government Act 2000
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000022.htm
Health & Social Care Act 2001, sections 7 - 10
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2001/20010015.htm
Statutory instrument 2002 No 3048 The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committee Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023048.htm
Overview and Scrutiny of Health Guidance D o H
http://www.doh.gov.uk/involvingpatients