Frequently
Asked Questions
Where
is the legislation surrounding this new function?
Is the new HOSC politically controlled or biased?
How are the Districts and Boroughs involved in
exercising this new power?
Do voluntary organisations have a say in the
work of the HOSC?
Is the new HOSC a replacement for the Community
Health Council?
How can members of the public and patients be
involved with the HOSC?
Where is the legislation surrounding this new
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.legilsation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023048.htm
Overview
and Scrutiny of Health Guidance D o H
http://www.doh.gov.uk/involvingpatients
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Is
the new 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.
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How
are the Districts and Boroughs involved in exercising this
new power?
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.
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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.
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Is
the new HOSC a replacement for the Community Health Council?
No.
The health overview and scrutiny Committee will not undertake
the same functions as the Community Health Council did. Such
activities as casualty watch, for example, will not be carried
out by members of the HOSC. Scrutiny is a different function
that has been a part of local government for three years.
However, the HOSC is part of several new government initiatives
aimed at increasing public and patient involvement in health
improvement. Patient & Public Involvement Forums are another
aspect of these initiatives.
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How
can members of the public and patients be involved with 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.
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