The Health Select Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Tuesday 2 June 2026 to discuss several key health-related issues. Scheduled topics included an update on the Integrated Community Based Care contract, an overview of NHS dentistry in Wiltshire, and the implementation of a joint temporary staffing service by the BSW Hospitals Group. The committee also planned to review the BSW Cluster Integrated Care Board operating model and receive updates on adult social care performance.

BSW Hospitals Group - Joint Temporary Staffing Service Implementation

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to address concerns regarding the BSW Hospitals Group's decision to outsource its NHS bank staffing function to a private provider, Pulse (Bank Partners), part of the Acacium Group. This change, due to go live on 1 August 2026, involves removing NHS bank workers from direct engagement by Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals Swindon NHS Foundation Trust, and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.

UNISON Salisbury Health Branch, represented by Mark Wareham, submitted a statement outlining their formal opposition to this decision. Key concerns raised included the transfer of a core NHS staffing function to a private, profit-driven entity, potential reductions in terms of engagement and pension provision for NHS bank workers, and the lack of TUPE protections for zero-hours bank arrangements. The union highlighted that this change could lead to a substantial loss of retirement income for affected workers and disproportionately impact ethnic minority employees and women. UNISON requested that the committee hold Salisbury NHS Trust executives accountable, write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and formally note concerns about the adequacy of the consultation process.

The BSW Hospitals Group, represented by Jude Gray, Group Chief People Officer, provided a response acknowledging the concerns but stating that the change does not represent the privatisation of NHS clinical services. They explained that the arrangement relates specifically to the administration and management of temporary staffing services, with NHS services continuing to be delivered under NHS leadership and governance. The group stated that existing bank workers would be supported through a transition process and have the opportunity to register with the new provider. They also noted that TUPE protections do not apply to bank worker arrangements, but that TUPE would apply to temporary staffing employees who manage temporary staffing. The group acknowledged that the change in pension arrangements would have the greatest impact on bank-only workers and that an Equality Impact Assessment had been updated to reflect this.

Update on the Integrated Community Based Care Contract

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Integrated Community Based Care (ICBC) contract with HCRG Care Group Ltd, which commenced on 1 April 2025. The report detailed progress on the transformation of services, including the establishment of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) and the redesign of clinical pathways. A key development highlighted was the launch of a BSW-wide Single Point of Access (SPA) on 1 April 2026, intended to simplify access to community services through a single front door. The report also provided an update on the Quality Dashboard and plans for Year 2 of the contract, which will focus on consolidating delivery and scaling successful models. The report acknowledged feedback regarding communication effectiveness and issues with residents struggling to get through to the SPA, noting that enhanced quality surveillance was in place.

Overview of NHS Dentistry in Wiltshire

An overview of NHS dentistry in Wiltshire was presented, including performance data for 2025/26. The report highlighted trends in emergency department attendances for tooth extractions and hospital admissions for tooth extractions, particularly for individuals with learning disabilities and those in areas of higher deprivation. It also detailed changes to the dental contract for 2026, which include mandatory unscheduled and urgent care, complex care pathways, and preventative measures. The aim of these changes is to improve oral health inequalities, ensure consistent delivery of evidence-based care, and increase the provision of unscheduled care.

Cluster Integrated Care Board (ICB) Operating Model

The committee was set to receive an update on the changes to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) operating model, following the announcement of a reduction in the number of ICBs from 42 to 26. The new cluster ICB, covering Dorset, Somerset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Wiltshire, Swindon, and Bath and North East Somerset, was due to be established from April 2026. The report outlined the ICB's priorities, including delivering future-ready health services, improving local outcomes, and strengthening engagement. It detailed the shift towards a more strategic commissioning role with a stronger focus on place and neighbourhoods, with some functions transferring to local provider organisations. The report also addressed concerns about GP and dentist registration, particularly for new residents, and recommended that the ICB ensure residents fall within a catchment area for primary care services.

Adult Social Care Performance Overview to Quarter 3 2025-26

An overview of Adult Social Care performance was presented, covering both council and national key performance indicators. The report indicated a rising demand for adult care services, with an increase in contacts to the advice and contact team. Despite this, a high percentage of contacts were resolved at the first point of contact. The report detailed the number of people receiving ongoing support, the increasing average weekly cost of care packages, and the results of the National Service User Survey. While Wiltshire performed well in areas such as satisfaction with care and sense of safety, feelings of loneliness and insufficient social contact were identified as areas for improvement. The committee was asked to note the performance overview and receive corporate key performance indicators annually.

General Practitioner (GP) Registration

A brief was provided to inform the committee about the process of registering with a GP, confirming that all GP practices in Wiltshire have open lists and will register patients living within their boundary areas. The brief also assured the committee of the ICB's statutory duty to commission sufficient primary medical services and outlined the methods used to assess GP sufficiency, including the General Practice Dashboard and national workforce reporting. The Lyneham area was used as a case study to demonstrate that all residents are covered by GP practice boundaries.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and approve its forward work programme. Items planned for future meetings included updates on Wiltshire's Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight, oral health initiatives, preventative health strategies, discharge from hospital, the Smoke Free Generation initiative, and the impact of the NHS 10-year plan. The programme also included reviews of the Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership, A&E Healthwatch surveys, Adult Social Care performance, and the Neighbourhood Health Plan.

Public Participation

The agenda indicated that public participation would be a scheduled item, allowing members of the public to make statements or ask questions on agenda items. A specific question from Mr Benjamin Hobson was included in the agenda supplement, asking about the BSW Hospitals Group's decision to transfer the management of NHS bank staff to Pulse and requesting an examination of the procurement route, impact assessments, and a public explanation of the decision. The response confirmed that representatives from the BSW Hospitals Group had been invited to attend the meeting to discuss this matter.