MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS JOINT HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

17 JUNE 2010

 

REPORT OF HEAD OF CHANGE AND SCRUTINY

 

Report prepared by Les Smith & Kat Hicks 

 

 

1.           DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION ON REGISTERING WITH THE GP PRACTICE OF YOUR CHOICE

 

1.1        Issue for Consideration

 

1.1.1   To consider the consultation document published by the Department of Health on options for patients registering with the GP Practice of their choice and prepare a response to be submitted to the Department of Health by 2 July 2010.

 

1.2        Recommendation of Head of Change and Scrutiny

        

1.2.1   That Members consider the consultation document and, in particular:

·         the options proposed for providing patients with better choice of which GP practice to register with

·         The reasons those options are being considered; and

·         Whether they wish to respond to the consultation and, if so, the areas they wish to comment on.

 

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

 

1.3.1   The Local Government Act 2000 and the Health and Social Care Act 2001 set out statutory functions for local authorities to review and scrutinise matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in the area of its local authority.

 

1.3.2   The consultation document sets out proposals for widening the choice of registering with a GP. Most people are registered with a GP Practice relatively close to their home. The document sets out options that would enable people who, for example, work a long distance from home, to register with a GP in another locality that would be more convenient for them.

 

1.3.3   Commenting on the consultation document is an opportunity for the Committee to influence central Government policy that could have an impact on the health choices for residents of the Boroughs.

 

 

1.4        Alternative Action and Why Not to Recommended

 

1.4.1 The Committee could choose not to comment on the consultation document. However this would prevent Members from commenting on matters that affect the health and well-being of the residents of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Boroughs.

 

1.5        Risk Management

 

1.5.1 There are no risks involved in commenting on the Department of Health’s consultation document.

 

1.6        Other Implications

 

1.6.1    

1.      Financial

 

 

2.           Staffing

 

 

 

3.           Legal

 

 

4.           Equality Impact Needs Assessment

 

 

 

5.           Environmental/Sustainable Development

 

 

6.           Community Safety

 

 

7.           Human Rights Act

 

 

8.           Procurement

 

 

9.           Asset Management

 

 

 

1.7        Relevant Documents

 

Appendix A – Department of Health consultation document “Your choice of GP practice”.