Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships that provided further information in respect to the proposed decommissioning of the stroke support service currently provided by the Stroke Association across County Durham and Darlington CCGs (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer informed members that this issue had been discussed as part of a media slide in April 2017 and further information was brought to committee in July 2017.  An update was given in November 2017 that advised of an engagement exercise that had been undertaken.

Mr Brierley, North Durham CCG advised that this had been a positive outcome and good news story.  Work with Healthwatch County Durham and their evaluation of service users and carers had been invaluable.  He advised that the CCGs had looked to commission the Stroke Association to undertake six monthly reviews and assessments.  One of the improvements had been to better share information with the right mechanisms and governance arrangements in place.  Primary care would continue to support those patients who did not want to share their information.  The service would be reviewed in 6 months and Mr Brierley agreed that an update would be provided to the committee in the next year.

Councillor Patterson pointed out that this was a good news story that was affected by the involvement of this committee.  She referred to the governments select committee with regards to scrutiny and how we could make third party organisations more accountable to scrutiny.  She asked that when services were commissioned that this was build in to any future contracts.

Resolved:

That the report be received.