Healthwatch Bracknell Forest and the relevant council overview and scrutiny panels ultimately share a common goal which is to improve health and social care services for the people of Bracknell Forest. Both of us have powers that can be used to hold commissioners and providers to account.  This document aims to introduce overview and scrutiny and sets out a framework for us to work with the health overview and scrutiny panel.

Councils are run by elected members known as councillors. A small number form the cabinet, or executive, taking strategic decisions and setting priorities for the council. The rest of the councillors are involved in the scrutiny function. This set-up mirrors the distinction in Parliament between MPs in the Government, and those who serve on Select Committees.

For example the council has a health overview and scrutiny panel dedicated to scrutinising local NHS policy, planning and impact against local needs and inequalities.

This panel is made up of councillors and thereby has democratic legitimacy. It may also include co-opted members. The council agrees its membership along with membership of other council committees.

Bracknell Forest has four scrutiny panels:

• Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny
• Children, Young People and Learning Overview and Scrutiny
• Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny
• Health Overview and Scrutiny

Our primary interest is with the Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The health overview and scrutiny panel devises a work programme which may call for reports on any aspect of local NHS activity so that it can hold both commissioners and providers to account. Thus the relevant clinical commissioning group representatives, or trust chief executives and other senior managers, are asked to attend to present such evidence and answer questions. Where services are jointly commissioned with the local authority, for example some mental health services, the council’s cabinet member, director, or senior managers might likewise attend.

The health overview and scrutiny panel also must be consulted on any proposed substantial service changes, and in these cases it may well take evidence too from local campaign groups or other interested parties. It may make recommendations to and require a response from any health partner on any aspect of activity that it has scrutinised. It does not, however, consider individual complaints and should refer any it receives to the appropriate body to deal with.

As described above, the committee is separate from the council’s health and wellbeing board, which has strategic and priority-setting functions. The health and wellbeing board’s activity may also be scrutinised by the health overview and scrutiny panel.

Ultimately, if it considers that proposals for substantial service changes are not in the interests of the local population, the health overview and scrutiny committee can refer these to the Secretary of State for Health for a decision, after consideration by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Healthwatch Bracknell Forest and Bracknell Forest Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel are committed to the establishment of a mutually supportive and beneficial relationship through partnership working.

Healthwatch Bracknell Forest will provide evidence based feedback, attend Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel meetings as an observer, relevant workshops and working groups.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel may refer issues to Healthwatch Bracknell Forest for investigation or may commission Healthwatch Bracknell Forest to research evidence.

Healthwatch Bracknell Forest may refer matters to Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel for the purposes of securing information and expertise.

In accordance with The NHS Bodies and Local Authorities (Partnership Arrangements, Care Trusts, Public Health And Local Healthwatch) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012:3094), Healthwatch Bracknell Forest will escalate issues as necessary to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, or the Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel as appropriate. The respective Overview and Scrutiny Panel has an obligation to acknowledge Healthwatch Bracknell Forest referrals within 20 working days of receipt.