Terms of Reference – Joint Scrutiny Committee BEH Clinical Strategy
- To scrutinise the consultation process and final decision in respect of the BEH Clinical Strategy in the light of what is in the best interests of the delivery of a spectrum of health services across the area of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and southern Hertfordshire, taking account of:
- The adequacy of the consultation being carried out by the health bodies including the extent to which patients and the public have been consulted and the extent to which their views have been taken into account
- The impact on the residents of those areas of the proposals for Chase Farm, Barnet General and North Middlesex University Hospitals and primary care, as set out in the BEH Clinical Strategy consultation paper
- To assess whether the proposals will deliver sustainable service improvement
- To assess whether the proposed changes address existing health care inequalities and will not lead to other inequalities
- The impact on patients and carers of the different options, and if appropriate, which option should be taken forward
- How the patient and carer experience and outcomes and their health and well-being can be maximised whichever option is selected
- Whether to use the joint powers of the local authorities to refer either the consultation or final decision in respect of the BEH Clinical Strategy to the Secretary of State for Health
- The Joint Committee will work independently of both the Executive and Health Scrutiny Committees of its parent Authorities, although evidence collected by individual Health Scrutiny Panels may be submitted as evidence to the BEH Joint Scrutiny Committee and will be considered at the discretion of the Joint Committee.
- To maintain impartiality, during the period of its operation Members of the Joint Committee will refrain from association with any campaigns either in favour or against any of the proposals within the BEH clinical Strategy. This will not preclude the Executives or other individual members of each authority from participating in such activities.
- To work together in a spirit of co-operation, striving to work to a consensual view to the benefit of local people.
Legislative basis
The Joint OSC is set up under the July 2003 Direction under sec 8 (4) of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 which requires that where a local NHS body consults more than one OSC on a proposal it has under consideration for a substantial development of the health service or a substantial variation in the provision of such service, the local authorities of these OSCs shall appoint a joint OSC for the purpose of the consultation. The OSC may:
- Make comments on the proposal consulted on to the local NHS body
- Require the local NHS body to provide information about the proposal
- Require an officer of the local NHS body to attend to answer questions
- Refer the proposals to the Secretary of State
The power of referral does not only reside with the Joint SC. Individual OSCs have the right to refer.
Membership of the Joint Scrutiny Committee
| Barnet Council | Haringey Council |
|---|
| Councillor Richard Cornelius (C) | Councillor Gideon Bull (Vice Chair) (L) |
| Councillor Linda McFayden (L) | Councillor Emma Jones (L) |
| Councillor Hugh Rayner (C) | Councillor Martin Newton (LD) |
| | |
| Enfield Council | Hertfordshire Council |
|---|
| Councillor Vivien Giladi (C) | Councillor David Cullen (L) |
| Councillor Anne-Marie Pearce (Chair) (L) | Councillor Terry Price (C) |
| Councillor Kate Wilkinson (SCF) | |
Voting and Quorum
- Members will be nominated by the local authorities on the basis of three members each from the London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey and two members from Hertfordshire County Council.
- Participating authorities will have one vote per authority.
- The Chairman will have a casting vote when required.
- Political proportionality will be waived.
- A substitute member may attend and vote in the absence of the nominated representatives of the participating authorities but must be notified to the Committee.
- The Quorum will consist of one member of each authority.
Meetings
The Committee will be constituted for a time-limited period. The Committee's Report to the NHS consultation body must be submitted no later than 19th October 2007. The Committee may wish to meet following the final decision of the NHS Project Board.
Meetings will be held in public, however, it may be necessary for the Joint Scrutiny Committee members to have the opportunity of private discussion. This is on the understanding that such meetings will be infrequent, will involve all of the Committee members, and that no conclusions are reached without the subsequent benefit of discussion in public.
Agenda setting: The final agenda for each meeting will be agreed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee and the Lead Authority Officer (following submissions by other authorities).
Time will be set aside for the public at the end of each meeting. Questions may be submitted for the Committee to consider in advance.
Minutes will be turned around 7 days, checked by officers and approved by the Chairman in a further 3 days when they will be loaded onto the Joint Scrutiny Committee website. Minutes will be formally approved at the next Committee meeting.
Press statements will be approved by a Scrutiny Officers from each authority and by the Chairman of the Committee before their release. A copy will be provided to the Head of Corporate Serviced at the Lead Authority. Statements will then follow the communication protocols within each authority.
Meeting Work Programme
July 5th 2007 Meeting 1. Formal agreement of procedural issues
Presentation by BEH Clinical Strategy Project Board representative on the Consultation proposals.
July 24th 2007 Meeting 2. Women's & Children's Services.
Sept 14th 2007 Meeting 3. Accident & Emergency (including emergency transport)
Sept 24th 2007 Meeting 4. Primary and community care.
Oct 11th 2007 Meeting 5. Finalise Report of Joint Committee
Transport and finance will be integrated with other meetings
Meeting topics may change depending upon the availability of witnesses.
Proposed Visits
The Committee may arrange visits to:
A&E Departments/Walk-in Centres
Women's, Maternity and Neonatal Services (Consultant Led, Midwifery Led and Birth Centres)
Paediatric services
Health Centres