This is a gentle reminder that we need people to make written representations to the Scrutiny Committee concerning the proposal to ‘transfer services’ in cancer care from the City Hospital site by closing Hayward House Daycare (please see the website www.savehaywarddaycare.org.uk). We don’t have long. Maybe if you know someone who has difficulty writing for reasons of health, confidence, eyesight or whatever, you might be able to help them?
VERY IMPORTANT: JOINT HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
The proposed closure of Hayward House daycare has to be examined by the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, which combines both City and County Councillors. The meeting at which HH will be on the agenda is on June 14th (starting at 10.15am in room LB41, Loxley House). The role of the Committee is to consider:
Whether, as a statutory body, the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been properly consulted within the consultation process.
Whether, in developing the proposals for service changes, the health body concerned has taken into account the public interest through appropriate patient and public involvement and consultation.
Whether a proposal for changes is in the interests of the local health service.
The Committee can then make recommendations on the basis of what it hears. The Committee has the power to refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Health either where it believes that consultation with patients, and the public has not been satisfactory or where they consider that a proposal of an NHS body is not in the interests of the health service in the area. Where a referral has been made, the Secretary of State may send the referral back to the NHS (in effect, the SHA) for local resolution or may ask the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to advise him on the matter. The IRP has been set up to provide expert advice on proposed NHS reconfigurations or significant service change. The IRP believes that local determination is the best solution and, before accepting a referral, will wish to be satisfied that all options for local resolution have been fully explored.
The Committee’s response will depend on the evidence that it hears at the meeting on June 14th. Written submissions are essential and will be included within the Public Papers that will be made public on June 6th.
All written submissions will need to be received by May 23rd, so that the committee section have time to turn these into a report for the Chairs Briefing on May 25th.
All Submissions need to go to Kim Pocock ( Scrutiny Co-ordinator ), Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG.
So if you feel that the PCT’s decision to close HH daycare does not pass any of the above tests, 1, 2 and 3, then please send in a submission.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO FORCE THE PCT TO THINK AGAIN.