The Health Scrutiny Committee met on Friday 20 March 2026 to discuss updates on patient experience scrutiny, the reconfiguration of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), and to review the committee's work programme. Key decisions included noting the progress on patient experience actions, receiving an update on the formation of the new Central East ICB, and approving the committee's work programme for 2025-26.

Patient Experience Scrutiny Review 2025

The committee received an update on actions arising from the 2025 Patient Experience Scrutiny Review. Discussions focused on digital inclusion and access to services, with the ICB confirming that while digital access is being promoted, telephone and in-person options remain available for all patients. The ICB also provided an update on patient records and interoperability, highlighting ongoing work to improve data sharing across providers, though acknowledging that full end-to-end digital record transfer is an evolving ambition. The committee was also updated on the complaints process and governance, and the work of practice patient participation groups.

Regarding carer champions, the ICB confirmed there is no single mandated job description or training standard, but guidance and support are available through system-wide documents like the ICS Carer Strategy. The committee heard about the extensive work being done to support carers, including young carers and parent carers, with a new Carers Strategy for Hertfordshire 2026-2028 being developed. Concerns were raised about the potential for digital exclusion and the need for consistent, joined-up services for carers.

Reconfiguration of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board

Dominic Woodward-Lebihan, Deputy Director for ICB Transition (Central East), and Ed Knowles, Director for Neighbourhood Health and Partnerships for Hertfordshire, provided an update on the reconfiguration of the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB into the new Central East ICB, which will cover a population of 3.5 million people from 1 April 2026. This reconfiguration is part of a national drive to reduce ICB running costs by 50% and refocus on strategic commissioning.

The new ICB aims to improve patient experience by focusing on delivering simpler, more coherent care pathways, shifting resources towards interventions that demonstrably improve outcomes, and enhancing financial sustainability. The committee discussed the potential impacts of this larger footprint, including opportunities for greater efficiency and economies of scale, as well as the challenges of ensuring local needs are met. Concerns were raised about the potential for services to be lost during the transition and the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with local authorities and the voluntary sector. The committee was assured that the new ICB would prioritise listening to patients and residents, with clear priorities and data-driven conversations.

Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025-26

The committee reviewed and approved its work programme for 2025-26. Items prioritised for the May meeting include palliative and end-of-life care in Hertfordshire and changes to community care provision. Members also requested the addition of several new items to the work programme, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), public health in relation to gambling harms, and GP facilities in new housing developments. The committee also discussed the ongoing issue of phlebotomy waiting times in Broxbourne and agreed to write to the ICB requesting urgent improvements. The committee also agreed to revisit the gambling harms scrutiny review.

The committee noted that the next meeting would be held on 15 May 2026.