The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss a range of health-related issues affecting the county. Key topics included the future of independent patient voice arrangements, updates on the Horton General Hospital, and system pressures within urgent and emergency care. The committee also received a report on primary care access and estates, and considered updates from Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

Response to HOSC Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to note responses to recommendations previously made regarding the Director of Public Health's Annual Report, the All-Age Autism Strategy, and Adult/Older Adult Mental Health services.

Chair's Update

Councillor Jane Hanna OBE, Chair of the committee, was due to provide an update on relevant issues. This included reports sent to Oxfordshire system partners concerning Dentistry Services in Oxfordshire and the South Central Ambulance Service's CQC Improvement Journey. A letter had also been sent to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding the proposed abolition of Healthwatch, and a letter from the Thames Valley ICB concerning delayed payments to Adult Social Care Providers was also to be discussed.

Report of the Primary Care Access & Estates Working Group

The committee was scheduled to receive the final report of the Primary Care Access & Estates Working Group. It was recommended that the committee receive and endorse this report, agree to its recommendations being issued to the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, and agree to share the report with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board. The committee was also asked to delegate to the Health Scrutiny Officer to finalise and publish the report.

Urgent Emergency Care/System Pressures

Lily O'Connor, Programme Director for Urgent & Emergency Care in Oxfordshire, was invited to present a report on urgent emergency care and system pressures. Two reports were attached: a general update and Oxfordshire's Urgent Emergency Care Winter Plan. The committee was invited to consider these reports and agree any recommendations.

Independent Patient Voice Update

Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire County Council, and Carole Stow, Engagement & Consultation Manager, were scheduled to present an update on the work exploring the future of Independent Patient and Resident Voice in Oxfordshire, in light of government plans to abolish the Healthwatch function. The committee was invited to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Veronica Barry, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, was invited to present the Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update Report. The committee was invited to consider the update and note any arising questions.

Horton General Hospital Update

Olivia Clymer, Director of Strategy & Partnerships at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was scheduled to present a report providing an update on the Horton General Hospital. This item was the first of two public meeting items on the hospital, focusing on its strategic role, current services, access to care, patient flows, estate and infrastructure, quality, safety, and regulatory assurance. The committee was invited to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations.

Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree the proposed work programme for its upcoming meetings.

Actions and Recommendations Tracker

The committee was recommended to note the progress made against agreed actions and recommendations.