Agenda item

The Panel will receive an update from the Healthwatch representative on current issues.  Panel Members may ask questions.

The Chairman invited Pat Foster and Ann Harding (Healthwatch representatives) to introduce the report, as printed in the agenda.

Councillor Bevan asked for clarification on communication figures, in particular if 70% of engagement with the public had been through social media, as suggested in the report.

Pat Foster responded that the Healthwatch has been asked, through their contract with the Council, to provide 70% of engagement with the public via social media.  The majority of engagement with the public had been via website, Facebook and Twitter.  Pat Foster added that people still called and/or emailed the Healthwatch with their questions and concerns.  The public also used leaflets to correspond with the Healthwatch.

Councillor Bevan commented that people in receipt of the higher proportion of health services would not be within the demographic which use social media.  Councillor Bevan asked Healthwatch representatives how they felt on being given directive for having 70% of engagement through social media that could exclude the very people that were likely to be using most of the services, most of the time.

Pat Foster responded that the Healthwatch would try to reach out to everyone across B&NES.  If people wanted to get in touch with the Healthwatch, they would have done that, no matter what way of engagement that was.

The Chairman agreed with comments and concerns from Councillor Bevan in terms of communication with the public.

The Chairman also said that Healthwatch was meant to be a development of the Local Involvement Network (LINk).  The LINk, at the time of their existence, seemed to be involved with a population that was more elderly whilst Healthwatch has a wider remit to also involve younger people.  The Chairman felt there had been an overemphasis on the involvement of younger people, because of the 70% of engagement through social media.

The Chairman added this was not what the Panel wanted to hear, or read about. 

The Panel wanted more proactive reports that could demonstrate the effectiveness of the Healthwatch.  The Panel also did not want to read inventory of events that took place and which events, or meetings, representatives from Healthwatch had attended. 

The Chairman commented that the LINk reports, for example from care home inspections, had been comprehensive and the Panel knew everything and anything they needed to know about that inspection - whether it was good, or bad or to note.

Pat Foster responded that the Healthwatch would present reports once the community engagement work is completed.  These reports would be about the work with the carers, partnership with village agents in Chew Valley and all these reports/updates would be included in the main report.

The Chairman said that the current report from Healthwatch only presents cold statistics of operations and the Panel would prefer to see a story to reflect on the merits of the Healthwatch operation.

Pat Foster suggested that future reports from the Healthwatch could be around specific themes.  The Chairman welcomed that suggestion.

Councillor Beath agreed with the comments from the Chairman and Councillor Bevan.  Councillor Beath said that 70% of engagement through social media would not give evidence that Healthwatch were getting through to the groups they had been set up to reach.  Councillor Beath suggested that the report should also include which groups Healthwatch reached.

Councillor Jackson agreed with the Chairman and Councillors Beath and Bevan.  Councillor Jackson expressed her concerns on overemphasis on social media, especially if sensitive issues would be discussed in public (i.e. personal drug problems, issues with pharmacies, etc).

Councillor Simmons commented that it would be impossible to find out, or recognise, how many people, within the 70% who engaged via social media, were actual service users.  Councillor Simmons also said that Twitter and Facebook, although quite useful tools, should not be seen as main source of contact with service users.

Councillor Jackson asked about the work with Diversity Trust to reach LGBT community.

Pat Foster responded once the partnership work with the Diversity Trust develops Healthwatch would then set a forum to involve people in the discussion, to hear what they have to say about services.

Councillor Bevan asked if, given the discussion held today on the social media engagement and the Panel's view on that matter; it would be worth questioning the appropriate team in the Council responsible for establishing remit of operation by pointing out this flaw in the process.

The Chairman commented that the Healthwatch would have to discuss this with the relevant team in the Council and present concerns raised by the Panel.

It was RESOLVED to note the update and for Healthwatch representatives to take on board comments made by the Panel.