CouncilHealth scrutiny
Health scrutiny panel
Overview and scrutiny has powers to review and scrutinise local health services and make recommendations to NHS bodies. It can also consider issues of concern to local people, including services provided by other organisations.
The panel also responds to NHS organisations which have a duty to consult with the health scrutiny panel if they make substantial changes to the way services are provided.
Because of the scale of the health sector and the number of organisations and partners involved in this area it is important for the Health scrutiny panel to take a strategic and long-term role in improving the health of local people.
With this in mind the panel agreed a four-year work programme in 2006 focusing on health promotion and prevention as well as reviewing service provision. This year the health scrutiny panel is carrying out a review of smoking and tobacco cessation.
There are seven councillors on the panel and currently two co-optees from the local patient and public involvement (PPI) forums from Barts and the London NHS Trust and the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust.
The members of the panel are:
- Councillor Stephanie Eaton – Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel
- Councillor Dr. Emma Jones
- Councillor Bill Turner
- Councillor Lutfa Begum
- Councillor Ann Jackson
- Councillor Abjol Miah
- Councillor Alex Heslop