The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, to discuss a range of important public health matters. Key topics on the agenda include an update on the situation at Berwick Hospital, a review of the Northumberland Gambling Strategy, and preparations for an upcoming Local Government Association (LGA) Public Health Peer Review.

Berwick Hospital Update and Task and Finish Group

The committee is scheduled to receive a verbal update regarding the ongoing situation at Berwick Hospital. Following this update, members will be asked to consider whether to establish a Task and Finish Group to further discuss the issues surrounding the hospital. This follows previous discussions where delays due to the original contractor, Merit, entering administration were reported, with Robertson Construction appointed as the new contractor. The aim is to ensure the hospital is completed and opened as soon as safely possible, with services such as endoscopy, audiology, ophthalmology, and gynaecology planned to return.

Northumberland Gambling Strategy

A report is scheduled to be presented summarising the Northumberland Gambling Strategy. This strategy aims to address the harms associated with gambling, which are recognised as a public health issue with significant social and economic consequences. The strategy focuses on four key priorities: maximising assets for early identification and support, education to build workforce capacity and public awareness, collaboration to mobilise communities and promote lived experience, and a system-wide approach to promote evidence-based practice and opportunities linked to regulation and advertising. The report notes that gambling participation in Northumberland is comparable to national and regional averages, with a significant number of gambling premises located across the county, particularly in areas of higher deprivation.

Public Health and LGA Peer Review

The committee is scheduled to receive information regarding an upcoming Local Government Association (LGA) Public Health Peer Review, which is set to take place in February 2027. This review is part of a Department for Health and Social Care funded programme designed to support councils in delivering their statutory duties and public health outcome priorities. The peer review process involves a team of peers spending three days on-site to identify strengths and areas for improvement, operating under principles of local responsibility, accountability, sector-wide ownership, and a supportive infrastructure. The review will focus on six key themes: Leadership and Governance, Vision and Priorities, Partnership Working, Data, Intelligence and Outcomes, Resources, Quality and Commissioning, and Statutory Responsibilities.

Health and Wellbeing Board Minutes

The committee will also review the minutes from the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 13 August 2026. These minutes cover discussions on the Sexual Health Strategy, which outlines priorities for teenage pregnancy and young people, education across the life course, reducing STIs and HIV prevention, and contraception and reproductive health. Additionally, the minutes detail the 0-19 (25) Growing Healthy Northumberland Annual Report 2025-2026, which provides an update on the health visiting and school nursing services for children, young people, and families across Northumberland.

Other Agenda Items

The meeting will also include a review of the Health and Wellbeing OSC Monitoring Report for 2026/27 and the Forward Plan of key decisions. The committee will also consider any urgent business that may arise.