The Health Scrutiny Committee has appointed its representatives to the Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) for the upcoming municipal year. Councillor Michel Pongo, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, have been nominated to serve on the JHOSC. A third member will also be appointed to complete Barking and Dagenham's representation on the committee.
The JHOSC is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising large-scale NHS service changes that affect two or more boroughs within the Outer North East London region. The committee also holds regional NHS bodies accountable.
The JHOSC has the remit to review and scrutinize any matter, including substantial variations, relating to the planning, provision, and operation of health services that affect two or more boroughs in Outer North East London. It has the right to respond to all consultations on such matters, both formal and informal. The JHOSC can request information or hold direct discussions with appropriate officers from various NHS organizations, cooperate with other Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees, make reports or recommendations to NHS bodies and expect written responses, and require NHS officers to attend before it to answer questions in connection with a consultation.
The Outer North East London (ONEL) Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) was established by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. The ONEL JHOSC is made up of three representatives from each of these four London Boroughs. Essex County Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee may nominate one full Member, and Thurrock Borough Council and the Councils of the Borough of Brentwood and District of Epping Forest may nominate observing Members.
Currently, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has requested a single JHOSC covering seven boroughs, rather than the current inner and outer structure. This debate is ongoing, and the ICB does not wish to service a joint committee. The JHOSC's primary focus is to review and scrutinize large-scale NHS service changes affecting two or more boroughs and to hold regional NHS bodies accountable. The meeting also discussed the ICB's request for a single JHOSC covering seven boroughs, indicating a potential shift in the geographic scope of scrutiny.
The report recommends that Councillor Michel Pongo, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Donna Lumsden, Deputy Chair, be appointed to the JHOSC. The appointment of one additional member from the Health Scrutiny Committee is also requested to complete Barking and Dagenham's representation.
More information on the Health Scrutiny Committee can be found in the Public reports pack.
