Agenda item

6.1  Healthwatch representatives Alvin Kinch, Healthwatch Southwark Manager, and Fiona Subotsky, Healthwatch Interim Board member, went through the presentation circulated with the papers and the chair invited questions.

6.2  A member asked what significance does it have for Healthwatch to be a subgroup of Community Action Southwark (CAS) and the Healthwatch Manager commented that Lambeth Healthwatch is setting up as a charity and went down a the co-production route. She said it will not affect Healthwatch priorities which will be decided by CAS trustees and also by Healthwatch members. A member asked how the membership will be decided and asked if there will be an election process and if membership is open to the public. The Healthwatch manager commented that they do not know yet, however Healthwatch aim to decide that by October. She reported that Healthwatch is currently doing a membership drive. The member commented that he was keen to understand the democratic and engagement process.

6.3  A member asked if Healthwatch will function like a police neighbourhood watch. The Healthwatch manager asked for clarification and he suggested that people might have labels on their windows showing that they are advocates for health. The manager agreed that Healthwatch do want and encourage people to raise issues. She added that issues are put into a local and national database. A member asked if there was an option such as telephone line to raise concerns and the Manager responded that Healthwatch are developing a signposting system.

6.4  A member said he thought the emphasis on engagement was very good . He added that he would like to see diversity on the board and asked if Healthwatch will provide training. The manager responded that the staff team will be doing that across the borough .She explained that at the moment they are focused on  good clear communication so people understand what Healthwatch are doing . She added that the organisation is also aiming to offer members appreciation and ensure expenses are covered.

6.5  Healthwatch were asked if they had the resources to support people with Learning Difficulties or refugees and the Manager responded that the organisation has £100,000 per year to spend , so they do need to work within these resources. She explained that Healthwatch intends to tap into what is out there already and emphasised  that Healthwatch is a network of networks.

6.1  An audience member commented that she had done work for LINks, the predecessor organisation, but had not heard back from Healthwatch. She questioned whether the priorities were sufficiently local or if they were driven  more by national priorities. The manager and board member responded that they were sorry the audience member felt like that and reported that LINks have done a legacy report, which is to be presented to the board. This will look at how to take the work of LINks forward. The audience member said she had felt disheartened and emphasised the importance of maternity and early years, and expressed the hope that this would be one of Healthwatch’s priorities. The chair asked Healthwatch to report back on the priorities once they have been agreed and thanked the presenters.

RESOLVED

In six months time Healthwatch will provide information on:

• governance arrangements; including democratic engagement and details of any elections

• Healthwatch priorities