Issue - meetings

To consider the Executive’s response to the report resulting from the review of preparedness for public health emergencies undertaken by a working group of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Commission noted the response of the Executive to the report resulting from the review of preparedness for public health emergencies undertaken by a working group of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  The report had been well received by the Executive.  The Commission considered that the Executive’s responses were fair.  The response would be submitted to the next meeting of the Panel in February.

The Commission noted that

• The Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing would write to the South Central Ambulance Service asking it to review its contingency arrangements with other strategic health authorities to ensure that sufficient resources were available on demand when required to respond to public health emergencies.
• A White Paper on the NHS had been produced by the new government which involved changing responsibilities for local authorities who would be responsible for health improvement and public health.

Councillor Leake advised that, in his capacity as Chairman of the Joint East Berks Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, he had sought assurances of sufficient funding to local authorities to take up that function.  This was a major issue at a time when the government was demanding 50% cuts in NHS management costs.