Agenda item

This report details the work Healthwatch Blackpool has conducted throughout the 2015/16 financial year, its key findings for each service review, and what changes have been made as a result of the involvement of the organisation.

Mr Steven Garner, Service Manager, Healthwatch Blackpool presented Healthwatch’s Impact Report 2015-2016 and draft priorities for 2016-2017.

He highlighted that Healthwatch had undertaken a wide range of review and survey work throughout the last year identifying the effectiveness of health and social care provisions mainly based on the views and concerns of local people using services. Subsequent reports had followed with a number of recommendations mainly directed at service providers. Responses had been sought from the providers concerning the recommendations with progress on actions was also sought.

The Chairman noted that some providers had not yet responded to recommendations and queried the reasons for the lack of response. Mr Garner considered that there were no serious issues as providers had generally welcomed review findings. He added that there was no legal duty requiring providers to respond but just to note recommendations.

Mr Garner explained that the annual report outlined the impact of Healthwatch’s work and recommendations.  He advised that notable recommendations taken on board by providers related to people’s wellbeing including increased food rotas and choice and better activities co-ordination at care homes. Other key work had included reviewing urgent care provision and why people were not making the best use of accident and emergency services. The urgent care review had also led to the service provider apologising for a lack of information being provided to patients whilst waiting for services and without refreshments. The provider aimed to ensure improved patient awareness in future.

Mr Garner added that a particularly important finding was that the ‘voice’ of service users was not currently being taken into account for the strategic development and commissioning of services. This was an important issue that needed addressing given that development and commissioning of services ultimately impacted upon the services available and delivery of services.

Mr Garner explained that consultation had taken place seeking the public’s views on health and social care priorities for 2016-2017. The consultation had identified five broad priority areas which would be refined. The priorities were GPs, hospital services, emergency services, adult mental health and care homes.

The Chairman referred to the previous agenda item, Public Health Scrutiny Report which included a recommendation that Healthwatch should look beyond its approach of surveys for identifying people’s concerns and adopt a greater focus on work promoting public health and tackling health inequalities.  Mr Garner responded that Healthwatch did work with Public Health partners and closer working would be developed further, in particular taking into account the ‘voice’ of service users. He gave examples of public health work including being on a steering group to tackle tobacco and alcohol issues. Healthwatch had also been involved in developing the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for identifying and tackling local priorities to produce the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Members noted that adult mental health services had been identified as a priority. Members expressed concern that children’s mental health services had not been prioritised citing that issues such as young people’s stress and anxiety had been recently prominent in the local press. Members emphasised that early help for young people could alleviate a lot of future health issues. Members commented that they were aware of recent issues with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), such as the time taken to access treatment and assessments. 

Mr Garner responded that Healthwatch had undertaken a small review of CAMHS alongside a wider review of young people’s wellbeing. Issues identified included the need to send reminders for appointments, parents’ concerns not being acted upon, the length of waiting time and lack of support between appointments. Healthwatch was aware that changes were being made to CAMHS and would pursue outstanding issues but did not intend to undertake another review. He added that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy had particular sections on young people’s wellbeing and other initiatives were ongoing such as Better Start.

The Chairman asked what the Healthwatch working relationship was with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Mr Garner advised Members that Healthwatch was independent but adopted close working with the CQC, e.g. Healthwatch had awareness of the CQC’s inspection reviews and that in return the CQC did consult with Healthwatch when undertaking inspections.

The Committee’s comments would be considered by Mr Garner and he was thanked for his report.