Decision - Protect Independent Scrutiny, Save Healthwatch England

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 .

The motion raised concerns about proposals to abolish independent local Healthwatch and transfer health scrutiny powers to Integrated Care Boards. It called for the Council Leader to oppose the changes and for councillors to support a petition against abolishing Healthwatch.