Healthier Communities Select Committee

The Healthier Communities Select Committee is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and making recommendations about a wide range of local health matters.   It gives local councillors the opportunity to question and influence the work of the health bodies in Lewisham, including hospitals, GPs and the council.   Local NHS bodies have a legal duty to consult the committee about any proposed large change or development of services in the borough, and the committee has the power to ask the Council to refer its views to the Secretary of State.   The committee gives councillors the opportunity to hear the views of local people, interest groups, and other relevant organisations, such as Healthwatch.    The committee chooses the health-related issues it wants to focus on each year and holds five meetings, which are open to the public.  The agenda and papers for each meeting are published online in advance.