Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from NHS Haringey on the tendering of Provider Contract for Children’s Community Health Services.

The Committee received the briefing on the future of children’s health services in the borough, introduced by Ian Wilson (Interim Chief Executive - NHS Haringey). 

The Committee noted the following in response to its questions and concerns:

Details of the expectations of a service provider for children’s health services would be sent to all potential organisations.  The Committee suggested that carers and other service users be part of the decision making panel and Mr Wilson confirmed that the NHS was also consulting with Haringey’s Local Involvement Network (LINk).  In response to concerns about conflicts of interest it was noted that if Haringey Council submitted a bid for the contract the Director of Children and Young People’s Service would not be part of the panel.

In response to concerns about safeguarding Mr Wilson confirmed that there were no proposals to cut the health visitors service and that the GOSH children’s budget overspend would not result in cuts in NHS children’s services. 

The figure of 56,000 for the population of children and young people in Haringey (on page 2 of the agenda pack) included all people from 0 to 18 years of age.  NHS officers confirmed that the birth rate was increasing and this needed to be considered in the planning of future services.

RESOLVED

i.          To note the report.

ii.         To note the concerns raised by this and other Council Committees about the potential risk to children’s safeguarding with the withdrawal of the universal health visitor service.

iii.        That the NHS be urged to pay specific attention in the procurement process to how the issues of prevention and the identification of cases to other safeguarding agencies would be addressed with as part of future provision.

iv.        That the Director of Children’s Services be asked to write to the NHS in response to briefing paper.