Health scrutiny committee acts as a critical friend

From: Cllr Colin BelseyChair of East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny 
Committee (HOSC)
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In light of a recent article in the Eastbourne Herald (Councillors Back Plan to close the Eastbourne Station Health Centre – September 18) I thought it would be helpful to explain East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s (HOSC) role in the proposed closure of Eastbourne Station Health Centre.

The role of the committee, made up of county, district and borough councillors and voluntary sector representatives, is to scrutinise the work of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Trusts, the voluntary sector, and independent providers of healthcare and act as a critical friend towards them. It does not make decisions on the provision of health care.

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At its meeting on September 10, the committee did not support plans to close the Eastbourne Station Health Centre but discussed actions that members felt the CCG would need to take should it decide to go ahead with the closure – this included investigating the feasibility of commissioning a drop-in clinical service for homeless and rough sleepers in the town centre.

The CCG is due to analyse the responses to its consultation, consider the recommendations made by HOSC and make a decision in early December.

Representatives from the CCG are due to attend the HOSC meeting on December 10, and members will determine whether the decision made is in the best interests of health services in East Sussex.

The committee cannot change a decision made by the CCG, but has the ability to refer decisions to the Secretary of State of local agreement cannot be reached.

As with all meetings of HOSC, members of the public can watch the proceedings via the county council website https://democracy.eastsussex.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=154

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