The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to consider plans for the upcoming winter period, review the progress of a project focused on preventing future care needs, and discuss the committee's work plan. The meeting was also scheduled to receive updates on various health-related matters.

BNSSG Winter Planning 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the BNSSG Winter Planning for 2026/27. This plan was to outline expectations and assurance measures for the winter period, focusing on maximising alternatives to emergency departments, delivering a 45-minute timely handover protocol between ambulances and hospitals, and improving discharges seven days a week. The report was expected to detail lessons learned from the previous winter, North Somerset Council's specific winter planning, system governance, prevention strategies for vulnerable cohorts, flow and occupancy management, primary care initiatives, and community health capacity. It was also scheduled to cover demand, capacity, and surge management, as well as leadership, operational grip, and resilience. The report indicated that members were asked to take assurance in the winter planning and to support the amplification of communications materials.

Future of Prevention Project

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Future of Prevention project in North Somerset. This project, which aligns with ambition 2 of the North Somerset Council corporate plan, aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and reduce the risk of falls among residents known to social care. The project was to utilise Xantura software to generate falls risk scores, with practitioners responsible for identifying mitigation strategies. The report was to outline progress to date, including the establishment of a steering group and the recruitment of a clinical delivery lead and project manager. The proposed next steps for the following twelve months were to be presented, with recommendations including the endorsement of project continuation, the agreement of a North Somerset reporting protocol, clarification on funding bids, and a call for partners to identify solutions for aligning health and social care data. The project's alignment with the Care Act 2014, which mandates local authorities to prevent, reduce, and delay the onset of care needs, was also to be highlighted.

HOSC Work Plan October 2026

The committee was scheduled to consider its work plan for October 2026. This plan was to outline the committee's priorities for the 2026/27 municipal year, which included improving access to NHS dentistry, monitoring the merger between University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), and increasing access to mental health services. Other priorities were to include monitoring access to GP appointments, addressing health inequalities, and overseeing changes within the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and Gloucestershire Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). The work plan was also to detail planned briefings, task and finish work, and any other informal meetings.

Public Discussion

The committee was scheduled to allow members of the public to address the committee on matters affecting the district and falling within the committee's remit. The Chairperson was to select the order of speakers, and members of the committee would have the opportunity to ask questions.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 2 July 2026 as a correct record.