Decision details

Report of the Executive Director, Health and Adult Social Care, seeking approval of the commissioning arrangements for the delivery of HealthWatch Southampton.

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 upper tier local authorities are required to establish Local Healthwatch as the independent consumer champion for the public to promote better outcomes in health for all and in social care for adults.  It will provide intelligence – including evidence from people's views and experiences - to influence the policy, planning, commissioning and delivery of publicly-funded health and social care. It will also provide information and advice to help people access and make choices about services.  Healthwatch Southampton will be a body corporate.

Part of the report and appendices will be confidential and therefore excluded from the press and public.

(i)  That approval be given to the Director of Health and Adult Social Care to procure Healthwatch Southampton to deliver the local Healthwatch services set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

(ii)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Health and Adult Social Care, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, to determine whether the arrangements for securing an NHS complaints advocacy service should be delivered jointly with other authorities in south east England, or provided as part of the local contract for Southampton.

Upper tier local authorities are required to establish local Healthwatch in their areas.  Having examined and discounted other options the best solution would appear to be through following the procurement process.

Two options were considered and rejected.  The first was grant aiding an organisation to establish Healthwatch Southampton.  This was rejected on the grounds that it may not secure the most effective delivery model.  The other option considered was for the Council to establish a social enterprise which would then deliver Healthwatch functions.  This was rejected on the grounds that there appear to be organisations operating in the City which are likely to be able to deliver the services required.