Decision details

Background.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 established a new consumer champion for users of health and social care services, called Healthwatch. Local Authorities with responsibility for social care were required to commission an independent organisation in order to deliver the vision. Doncaster Council implemented its statutory duty to establish a Local Healthwatch from the 1st April 2013. The current contractual arrangements with Doncaster Healthwatch CIC is in place until 31st July 2022.

Separately, Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have had a funding agreement and reporting mechanisms in place with the provider.

Reason for Decision.

Doncaster Council and CCG have for some considerable time moved to a more integrated approach as reflected in, for example, The Joint Health and Social Care Commissioning Strategy that sets out how our collective action can achieve our vision for the future of health and social care in Doncaster.

Formalising the CCG involvement via the Council’s Contract with Doncaster Healthwatch CIC clearly demonstrates the willingness to work in a joined up manner that is mutually beneficial to all parties. Doncaster Healthwatch CIC have been involved as appropriate in the conversations to move this forward. They welcome having one performance reporting mechanism that will capture the key performance indicators, but importantly the outcomes for people accessing health and social care.

A section 256 funding agreement under the NHS Act 2006 will be put in place between the Doncaster CCG and the Council. Thereby enabling the Council to recharge Doncaster CCG. Although Doncaster Council will manage the contract, Doncaster CCG will be have active representatives at contract meetings.

The Service Specification will be revised to reflect the requirements of Doncaster CCG and a variation to the contract will be put in place reflecting the changes.

To approve a Direct Award of £40,000 (£20,000 per year) for a two year period to Doncaster Healthwatch CIC.

To approve a section 256 funding agreement under the NHS Act 2006 to be put in place between the Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Doncaster Council to support the transfer of funding (£40,000).

No other options considered.