Health Minister Announces New Support for Local Authority Overview and Scritiny Committees

October 10, 2003

DoH press release

Health Minister Rosie Winterton today announced further support for local authority overview and scrutiny committees to carry out their reviews of health services. This support will include a one off payment of £2.25million to help local authorities in their new health scrutiny role.

Speaking at the New Local Government Network Conference ‘Scrutinising Local Health Delivery’ in London, Rosie Winterton announced that the Department was to make a one off payment to the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CPS) who, in association with the Local Government Association, will aid the long term development of health overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs). This work will be developed through:

rigorous monitoring and evaluation, to support learning from experience, and to develop more effective ways of working and better health outcomes; the development of good practice; the identification and spread of work that has led to health improvements; and through piloting, facilitation and support including publications and guidance.

A new steering group will be set up to manage these arrangements. The group will include stakeholders from both the NHS and local government.

Rosie Winterton said:

“The Government believes that the NHS belongs to the public. That is why we are putting in place a programme of reform that will yield benefits for the public for years to come. This includes giving the public the choice of where and how they are treated. But to make those choices, the public must be better informed. We have to enable citizens, communities and populations to have greater influence over issues and decisions that affect their health.”

“Scrutiny by local authority overview and scrutiny committees will enable local people to have more democratic control of their healthcare. Local authorities have a fundamental role to play as community leaders, promoting and ensuring the wellbeing of local people. I believe absolutely that patients and the public should, and are able to, take more and more control of their health, as well as their health services.”

“Through scrutiny the NHS will be more accountable to local people through democratically elected councillors. The NHS must involve OSCs, and by doing this the service will build even closer links with local communities.”

New guidance was also made available today to help councillors and scrutiny officers get to grips with the NHS in their area.

Notes to Editors:

The CPS was established to promote the value of scrutiny in modern and effective government – not only to hold executives to account but also to create a constructive dialogue between the public and its elected representatives – to improve the quality of public services. Further information is available on the internet at: www.cfps.org.uk The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think-tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities. www.nlgn.org.uk. NLGN press enquiries to Ian Parker on 020 7357 0116 or ian@nlgn.org.uk’The guidance for councillors and scrutiny officers is available on the Department of Health website at: www.doh.gov.uk/involvingpatients/guidance.htmAll NLGN enquiries to Ian Parker – 020 7357 0116 / 07947 640780

Notes: The New Local Government Network (NLGN) is an independent think-tank, seeking to transform public services, revitalise local political leadership and empower local communities. NLGN and the New Health Network recently published Localising the National Health Service: gaining greater equity through localism and diversity by Rt John Reid MP, in which the Secretary of State for Health makes the case for a national health service that is more locally driven, locally responsive and locally accountable. Copies are available, price £11.25 (inc p&p) from network@nlgn.org.uk or 020 7357 0152.


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