This item is reserved to discuss any issues raised by the HealthWatch co-opted member or designated representative.

Kim James, the HealthWatch co-opted member, raised two items for the Committee’s attention.

The Committee Members and Officers were asked for guidance on how best to proceed with the consultation process of the Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner service that NHS England were proposing to undertake. A Public Meeting was scheduled to take place in March 2016 at the Bee Hive Centre in Grays, but to date no information regarding the consultation had been received from NHS England. Kim stated that Thurrock residents should have the right to their comment on this consultation process and felt they were unable to do this with the lack of information available.

Ian Wake stated that they were also struggling to understand what the consultation was about and could not comment until this was to hand.

It was confirmed that Lyn Carpenter, Chief Executive, had written to NHS England asking for further details on the consultation process.

Councillor Liddiard stated that there was a need to support this local service and to encourage residents to attend all public meetings.

Councillor Halden commented that as a result of a Motion at Full Council a letter had been sent to the Secretary of State for Health with regards to the poor communication/engagement from representatives of NHS England and NHS commissioning, particularly with reference to the consultation on the PET CT Scanner which was viewed as an unsound consultation. Councillor Halden suggested further letters should be sent to NHS England.

Councillor Ojetola agreed that until the details of the consultation were known it was difficult to make any decision.

Kim James confirmed that she will be attending this public meeting in March.

The Chair requested that all consultation papers be available to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the end of February 2016.

Ian Wake stated that he was in the process of writing a further letter to NHS England requesting further information and registering the disappointment of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A further item was raised by Kim James on the planning by NHS England of a number of public information events about the proposed changes to the specialised urology cancer service in Essex. These initial events were designed to inform members of the public about the proposed changes and the process that NHS England were required to follow.

Kim James concern was that no consultation process was being undertaken in Thurrock. No correspondence had been made with HealthWatch, who would have been more than happy to find accommodation to house this meeting and registered disappointment that Thurrock had, yet again, been missed out again on consultation events.

Mandy Ansell confirmed that she had also chased NHS England for information and registered CCG’s disappointment that no public event was being held in Thurrock.

Councillor Halden suggested that the Council work jointly with Essex and Southend Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees to compare information received and find out what consultation processes had been undertaken in these areas.

The Chair agreed that this was a good idea and that Ian Wake should write again to NHS England and liaise with members of Essex and Southend Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees.