The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 15 June 2026 to discuss the operational plans and integrated delivery plans of several key healthcare organisations serving Staffordshire. The committee received updates on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board's (ICB) operational plan and complaints overview, the University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust's (UHNM) Integrated Delivery Plan, and the five-year plans for North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust (NSCHT) and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT). The committee also reviewed and approved the work programme for the upcoming year.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB Operational Plan and Complaints Overview

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB presented its five-year strategic plan, which focuses on neighbourhood-based models of care, prevention, and significant transformation across various health services, including mental health, children and young people's services, and diagnostics. The plan aims for financial breakeven by 2030/31, with a £3.39 billion budget for 2026/27, allocating £2.64 billion to core commissioning costs. The ICB also detailed its capital plans, including investment in a One Health and Care Record and a Single Intelligence Hub.

Regarding complaints, the ICB received 834 formal complaints between April 2025 and March 2026. The primary themes were delays and dissatisfaction with outcomes related to All Age Continuing Care, followed by cancelled surgical procedures at private hospitals. The ICB acknowledged these concerns and outlined ongoing work to improve communication with independent sector providers and address specific issues.

University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust Integrated Delivery Plan

UHNM presented its five-year Integrated Delivery Plan (2026/27 – 2030/31), which aligns with national NHS priorities such as shifting care from hospitals to communities, moving from analogue to digital, and focusing on prevention. The Trust aims to achieve financial breakeven within three years, return to national performance standards by 2028/29, and significantly reduce expenditure on bank and agency staff. Key initiatives include the opening of a Community Diagnostic Centre in Hanley, redevelopment of the Breast Care Unit at County Hospital, and investment in robotic surgery, which has already led to a 20% uplift in productivity. UHNM also highlighted challenges in managing increasing demand and workforce sustainability.

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 5-Year Integrated Delivery Plan

NSCHT outlined its five-year Integrated Delivery Plan (2026–2031), building on a strong track record of financial balance and performance. The plan focuses on prevention and early intervention, particularly for children and young people, and accelerating the shift from hospital to community-based care through neighbourhood health models. A key initiative is the implementation of the ORBIS U electronic patient record system. NSCHT acknowledged challenges in sustained demand growth, particularly in crisis services and for children and young people, and highlighted the dependency on system partners for achieving certain outcomes, such as reducing out-of-area placements.

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust 5-Year Integrated Delivery Plan

MPFT presented its five-year Integrated Delivery Plan (2026–2031), emphasising its role as a flexible and proactive partner within the evolving health system. The Trust's approach centres on neighbourhood-led transformation, strengthening primary and community care resilience, and enhancing mental health leadership. MPFT has submitted a breakeven revenue plan for 2026/27, including a £29 million recurrent efficiency requirement. Key areas of focus include shifting care from hospital to community, developing neighbourhood health teams, improving urgent care services, and strengthening community-based services. The Trust also highlighted its commitment to partnership working, particularly with local authorities and the voluntary sector, to improve lives and support people closer to home.

Work Programme 2026-27

The committee reviewed and approved the work programme for 2026-27. Key topics for scrutiny include the ICB's operational plan, the integrated delivery plans of UHNM, NSCHT, and MPFT, and the NHS Ten Year Plan. The committee also planned to review the effectiveness of the Winter Plan 2025/26, Urgent and Emergency Care, Maternity Services, NHS Elective Care, NHS Cancer Services, Adult Social Care Market and Workforce, and NHS Mental Health Services. Discussions also touched upon the potential for working groups on winter planning and the neighbourhood model of care.