The Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the NHS Gloucestershire Winter Assurance Plan for 2025-26, review the Health Needs Assessment for maternity services in Gloucestershire, and receive performance updates on the Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (GICS) and NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB). The committee was also due to consider its work plan for future meetings.

NHS Gloucestershire Winter Assurance Plan Review 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to review the performance of the NHS Gloucestershire Winter Assurance Plan for 2025-26. This plan is developed annually by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Trust Boards to mitigate key delivery challenges and risks during the winter period. The discussion was expected to include proposals for future changes based on the plan's outcomes. The plan itself was previously presented to the committee on 14 October 2025.

Maternity Services in Gloucestershire - Health Needs Assessment

A significant item on the agenda was the Health Needs Assessment for maternity services in Gloucestershire. This assessment involves a comprehensive review of national and local data, trends, and outcomes, incorporating the perspectives of women, staff, and stakeholders. The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the Department of Health and Social Care's national investigation into maternity and neonatal services, as Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the 12 trusts included in this investigation. An interim report from this independent investigation was anticipated for discussion.

Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (GICS) Performance Report

The committee was set to receive an update on the performance of the Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (GICS) against established NHS constitutional and other agreed standards. This report is for information purposes, and supporting performance and workforce metrics were to be made available.

NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Report

An update from the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), collectively known as NHS Gloucestershire, was scheduled. This report provides updates from the Integrated Care System (ICS) Partners responsible for the day-to-day commissioning and provision of NHS services within Gloucestershire. As mentioned previously, this report was also to include an update on the interim report from the Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services.

Work Plan

The committee was to note the dates of future meetings and consider suggestions for items to be included in its work plan. Members were reminded to consider the reasons for and expected benefits of scrutiny involvement when proposing new items, and to categorise them as 'Overview', 'Scrutiny', or 'Information'. The committee was also reminded of an upcoming in-person meeting with members of the Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee on 3 March 2026 to discuss items of mutual interest. A briefing note concerning Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), was circulated for members to consider.