[Fateha Begum]

PRESS RELEASE

04 October 2012

The Centre for Public Scrutiny says better health and care is possible if local leaders work together.

The Centre for Public Scrutiny and the Local Government Association have today (4 October 2012) published a practical guide to help three groups of local leaders to use the health reforms as a springboard to work together to influence better health and care.

The guide aims to raise awareness of the independent but complementary roles of local Healthwatch, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Council health scrutiny and presents some opportunities they have to add value to each others work. The guide:

• Gives practical scenarios of how these local leaders can work together to influence planning and delivery of improved local services.
• Presents solutions to some common challenges, helping to align new bodies with existing arrangements.
• Key questions that local leaders can be asking between now and April 2013 when the new bodies fully take on their roles.
  

Tim Gilling, Acting Executive Director of CfPS, says:
"Together with the Local Government Association (LGA) we have worked with colleagues from across the sector to produce a clear picture of how leaders of two new bodies, local Healthwatch and Health and Wellbeing Boards, can work together with councillors through health scrutiny functions to influence better health and care outcomes. We hope this guide will help local areas to develop their arrangements ensuring that they are accountable, transparent and inclusive.

Lorraine Denoris, Local Government Association, says:
“The relationship between Local Healthwatch, Scrutiny and Health and Wellbeing Boards is critical for delivering effective patient voice and representation in the new Health and Social Care System. This document represents a really good starting point for further dialogue about how these positive partnerships can be developed and sustained in order to improve better health outcomes in local communities.”

Ends

For more information call Dushana Pinfield on 020 7187 7363.

Notes to Editors

1. ‘Local Healthwatch, Health and Well Being Boards and Scrutiny roles, relationships and adding value’, will be available for download on the CfPS website from 4 October.
2. This publication has been written by Laura Murphy (Independent Consultant and Expert Adviser) and Su Turner from the Centre for Public Scrutiny.
3. Contributions to the publication have been made by:
   

• Lorraine Denoris, Local Government Association
• Lucy Hamer, Care Quality Commission
• Claire Lee, East Sussex County Council
• Helen Kenny, West Sussex County Council
• Bournemouth Borough Council
• Derbyshire County Council
• Devon County Council
• Dorset County Council
• Gateshead Council
• London Borough of Sutton