Are enough people having a say on NHS review? (From Worcester News)

Are enough people having a say on NHS review?

7:40am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in News By James Connell

HEALTH bosses have asked whether the public and patients are having enough of a say in a major review of NHS services.

NHS leaders are carrying out a review of health services in Worcestershire as they attempt to save between £150 million and £200 million by 2015/16 but a watchdog has asked whether the ordinary people of Worcestershire are being given enough of a say.

Their concerns were discussed at a meeting of the health overview and scrutiny committee (HOSC) at County Hall. The review, launched last month, is scheduled to finish this November. Talks with the public are scheduled to take place between July and September although a series of “roadshows” have been held across Worcestershire this month to publicise the review and a special board chaired by Professor Rod Griffiths has been set up with the express purpose of making sure the public has a voice.

However, Dr Bryan Smith, project chairman of the review, revealed at the meeting that only 16 people had attended a roadshow in Malvern to discuss the review which will potentially involve major changes to the way the NHS is run locally and is separate to the controversial Health and Social Care Bill now passing through Parliament.

Dr Smith said: “We have been quite disappointed.”

However, Dr Smith said as yet there were no firm proposals as to how the money would be saved, which will emerge during the review.

He said: “If we get proposals and nobody turns up then that’s a terrible reflection on us. As a member of Joe Public I’m not sure I would want to go to a meeting where they’re just introducing the review.”

Coun Andy Roberts, chairman of HOSC, said: “It has come to me that attendance at these meetings is thin and dominated by health councillors and health professionals. Have we missed a trick? Do we need to think again?”

Coun Gerry O’Donnell suggested social media and shopping centres could be used as a forum to get the message out.

A budget for the review has yet to be agreed but this is scheduled to be confirmed on Tuesday by the project steering group although project director Chris Fearns said because of the level of engagement with the public it was likely to be “considerable”.