Health Scrutiny

One of the issues currently being discussed at County Hall is the make-up of committees for 17/18.

There will be a lot of negotiation before this can be sorted out but it is critical for the work of the County Council

The Health Scrutiny committee is very important for the NHS in Cumbria because it has the power to "call in" major decisions and send them to the Secretary of State.

The rather unfortunate outcome of the meeting to discuss call in of the "Success regime" consultation and decisions (and that is putting it very politely) shows the need for this committee to champion the interests of patients and staff in Cumbria. Initially Maternity, Children's Services and Community Hospital beds were called in but then after a recess during which some councillors, thinking the issue was determined, went home, the vote was taken again and the Children's Services and Community Hospital decisions reversed.

We cannot allow that sort of thing to happen again - issues of health in Cumbria are too important.