Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee
This committee leads Policy and Scrutiny Activity for all matters relating to:
- adult's safeguarding services
- public health improvement
- health services in the city
- community safety services
- voluntary and community sector relationships and investment
- any other matter intended to support or safeguard vulnerable adults, improve health and wellbeing in our communities and support the voluntary sector in the city
The importance of health scrutiny
This committee is Westminster's statutory health scrutiny committee. It is, therefore, able to discharge the council's statutory responsibilities under Sections 7 and 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and Section 23 of the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013 about any planned substantial developments and variations to NHS services, except where joint arrangements are made.
This committee can scrutinise any of the above matters, which are the responsibility of external agencies, and where the Committee may legitimately act to investigate. This includes matters relating to the provision of Health Services within Westminster, including considering any reports referred by the local HealthWatch.
The committee acts as a 'critical friend' by recommending ways to improve health-related services. It also has a formal power to refer any variation in health services to the Secretary of State should they consider that the changes are inappropriate.
The committee also looks at the way the health service interacts jointly with our social care services, the voluntary sector, independent providers and other council services to provide better health services to meet the diverse needs of Westminster residents and improve their wellbeing.
This committee performs an important role in safeguarding matters for vulnerable adults, assuring that the council's approach to such matters is of a high standard.