The Health and Social Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Commission met to review the end-of-year report for the Better Care Fund and Section 75 agreement, discuss the Adult Social Care Annual Report for 2025/26, and consider the refresh of the Hull Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy. The meeting also included updates on outstanding actions and the work programme for the upcoming year.

Better Care Fund and Section 75 2025/26 – End Of Year Report

The Commission was scheduled to review an update on projects commissioned through the Better Care Fund (BCF) in 2025/26. The BCF, established in 2013, aims to integrate health and social care budgets to support more person-centred care, with a recent focus on delivering care closer to home and promoting prevention. The report detailed the joint annual plan agreed by Hull's Health and Wellbeing Board and the contributions made by Hull City Council (HCC) and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to the pooled budget. It also outlined the activities supported by the BCF, delivered by various partners including Hull City Council, Humber Foundation Teaching NHS Trust, Humber Health Partnership, and City Health Care Partnership. The report highlighted key performance metrics for 2025/26, such as emergency admissions for those aged 65+, the proportion of adult patients discharged on their ready date, and long-term support needs met by residential and nursing care. The end-of-year report also noted successes, including a reduction in bed-based intermediate care and increased home-based support, as well as challenges such as developing new arrangements with the ICB and difficulties in building the local workforce.

ASC Annual Report 2025/26

The Commission was set to receive the Adult Social Care (ASC) Annual Report for 2025/26. This report outlines the progress made in delivering the ASC Three-Year Plan and supporting Hull's Community Plan. It details the service's performance, investment, achievements, and challenges. The report highlighted that over 5,600 people received ongoing care and support, and 3,000 benefited from aids and adaptations to maintain independence at home. The service received 12,337 new referrals, completed 2,670 Occupational Therapy assessments, supported over 5,300 carers, and managed 7,159 safeguarding concerns. The report noted Hull's first Local Authority Assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which resulted in an overall judgement of Requires Improvement, while acknowledging strengths in safeguarding and partnership working. A comprehensive improvement programme is underway, aligned with the ASC Three-Year Plan. Key achievements for 2025/26 included expanding community hubs, the success of the Active Recovery service, and the development of the ASC Digital Plan. The report also detailed investments in technology, workforce development, and efforts to improve quality across the care market.

Hull Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Refresh 2026/27 to 2028/29

The Commission was scheduled to consider the refreshed Hull Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADSP) Strategy for 2026–2029. This strategy aims to reduce alcohol- and drug-related harm across Hull by strengthening prevention, improving system integration, tackling stigma, and embedding recovery within communities. The refresh builds on the 2022–2025 strategy and retains its six priorities: Prevention and Early Intervention; Targeted Support for At-Risk Groups; Improving Support for People with Co-Existing Needs; Tackling Stigma and Improving Access; Developing Community Assets for Recovery; and Harm Reduction. The strategy acknowledges Hull's high levels of need, linked to deprivation and health inequalities, and highlights progress made in treatment access and recovery outcomes, while also noting remaining challenges. The report detailed findings from extensive engagement with stakeholders, communities, and people with lived experience, which informed the updated strategic approach. The strategy seeks endorsement from the Hull Place Health and Care Joint Committee and commits partners to a whole-system approach to reducing harm.

Health Scrutiny Outstanding Actions

The Commission was to review an action tracker to ensure that outstanding actions from previous meetings were being addressed in a timely manner.

2026/27 Work Programme

The Commission was scheduled to consider and agree the latest version of its work programme for 2026/27. This programme outlines the topics and areas of focus for the Commission's scrutiny activities throughout the year.