The Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 22 June 2026 to discuss a range of important issues concerning adult social care and health services in Devon. Key topics included an update on client financial services, a review of customer feedback and complaints, and discussions on NHS dental services and financial pressures within the NHS. The committee also considered reports on the Quality Accounts of various healthcare providers, the Adults Transformation Programme, and a general update on health and adult care services.

Client Financial Services Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the performance of Client Financial Services as of April 2026. The report indicated improvements in the financial assessment process, with a reduction in both the number of people waiting for an assessment and the length of time they waited. The service had reduced its waiting list from 3,144 individuals to 1,098. Further improvements are planned, aiming for 85% of financial assessments to be completed within 30 days. However, increased volume and timeliness of assessments have contributed to a rise in recorded debt, standing at £65.8 million as of March 31. The report outlined ongoing improvement activities focused on staffing, working practices, communication, and performance monitoring.

Compliments and Complaints Annual Report and LGSCO Annual Review Letter 2025/26

A report detailing customer feedback for Integrated Adult Social Care (IASC) between April 2025 and March 2026 was presented. The report indicated that while compliments highlighted strong, person-centred practice, upheld complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) findings identified recurring issues. These included delays in assessments and reviews, gaps in communication, problems with financial information and charging, and concerns about care quality and safety. The report noted that 49% of the 206 complaints responded to were upheld or partially upheld, and timeliness of responses remained variable. The LGSCO concluded 21 cases, with 6 upheld following formal investigation. The committee was invited to consider actions to support its scrutiny role in relation to customer feedback.

NHS Dental Services in Devon

An update was provided on key developments in NHS dental services across Devon. This included information on the implementation of national dental contract reform, which aims to make NHS dentistry more sustainable and rewarding for practices. Key elements of the reform include new requirements for urgent care activity, complex care pathways, expanded preventive care opportunities, and changes to denture-related services. The report also detailed the progress of newly procured dental contracts across Devon, with providers contracted to deliver a significant number of units of dental activity annually. The report highlighted the launch of a new orthodontic service in North Devon and Torridge and ongoing initiatives to support the dental workforce, including a 'Golden Hello' recruitment scheme and postgraduate bursary funding.

NHS Devon ICB and RDUH Financial Pressures

The committee was scheduled to receive reports on the financial pressures facing NHS Devon and the Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH). The Devon system's outturn for the financial year 2025/26 was a deficit of £64.3 million. The report indicated that the system was unable to submit a breakeven plan for 2026/27 to NHS England due to a significant underlying deficit. Work was underway to reach a final agreement with NHS England, likely to involve deficit support and regional funding, alongside a savings and recovery programme. Enhanced governance arrangements, including Contract Review Meetings and a Financial Oversight Group, were being established to monitor provider performance and the system's financial plan.

Standing Overview Group: Quality Accounts

The committee received a report summarising the learning from the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Standing Overview Group's recent meeting with healthcare providers regarding their Quality Accounts. Presentations were received from the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Devon Partnership Trust, Torbay and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Discussions covered the providers' quality and safety improvement priorities for 2025/26, including areas such as discharge safety, patient safety incident response, shared decision-making, mental health services, and reducing health inequalities. The committee was asked to share the learning from this meeting to inform its ongoing scrutiny role.

Standing Overview Group: Adults Transformation Programme

This report provided an overview of the Adults Transformation Programme, 'Living Well in Devon', and the work of the Standing Overview Group. The programme aims to modernise Integrated Adult Social Care (IASC) through a diagnostic and intervention approach, focusing on prevention, supporting independence, and targeting resources more effectively. The report detailed a site visit to Somerset Council to learn from their adult social care transformation, highlighting successes in improved outcomes, financial savings, data management, and workforce engagement. It also outlined Devon's 'Living Well in Devon' programme, its financial projections, workforce engagement strategies, and plans for preparing young people for adulthood. Challenges related to ICB restructuring and health partner involvement were also noted.

Adult Social Care Visit - Tavistock IASC Team (Abbey Rise)

The committee received a report detailing a site visit to the Tavistock Integrated Adult Social Care (IASC) Team at Abbey Rise. The visit provided insight into the team's roles, structure, and workflows, including their work in assessment, review, occupational therapy, and arranging support. Issues identified during the visit included challenges presented by the rurality of West Devon, workforce recruitment and retention difficulties, the increasing prevalence of self-neglect cases, and the integration of health and social care services. The report also touched upon the triaging of cases, integrated hospital discharge teams, single-handed care training, medication reviews, and IT interoperability.

Health and Adult Care General Update

This comprehensive report provided updates on various key and standing items. It included an update on the 'Living Well in Devon' programme, highlighting staff involvement and progress in areas such as acute discharge decisions and care reviews. Regional improvement activity across the South West was also detailed, alongside a series of mini masterclasses on safeguarding for council members. A quarterly performance update was presented, along with an update on the North Devon Link Service, which has seen significant growth in its drop-in and peer support offerings. The report also covered the development of relationships with the Joint Engagement Forum, an update on Extra Care Housing developments in Devon, and the approval of the Specialist and Supported Housing Needs Assessment. Public Health updates included information on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the Devon-wide Suicide Prevention Strategy. NHS Devon updates focused on ICB clustering, the appointment of a new interim chief executive and joint executive team, and regional champions in the first NHS Excellence Awards. A significant increase in people being treated for minor illnesses in local pharmacies was also highlighted.

Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee was asked to review its forthcoming business and determine which items should be included in its Work Programme. Members were also encouraged to review the Cabinet Forward Plan and the Risk Register for any specific items they might wish to explore further.

Election of Champion Against Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse (DSVA)

Following a change in committee membership, the committee was asked to elect a new Champion Against Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse (DSVA).

Information Previously Circulated

A list of information previously circulated to members was provided, including the Health & Adult Care Scrutiny Committee Risk Register, correspondence with the Chair of the ICB, draft Quality Accounts, and materials from a Mental Health Awareness Week Masterclass.