The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) convened to discuss several key issues impacting health services in the region, including NHS reforms, system pressures, and the progress of Oxfordshire as a Marmot Place. The committee also planned to review and provide feedback on the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Quality Account, and to consider its future work programme. The meeting included updates from various health organisations and discussions on strategies to improve healthcare delivery and address health inequalities.

Annual Report of the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee

The committee was scheduled to review and approve its annual report, which summarises the key scrutiny activities and accomplishments of the JHOSC throughout the 2024-2025 civic year. The report highlights several key areas:

• Supporting Oxfordshire Place: The committee requested a call-in from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board’s (BOB ICB) proposed restructure. Although the call-in was not invoked, the ICB made alterations to its initial proposals in response to the JHOSC’s feedback.

• Securing Additional Primary Care Estate: Planning permission was granted for primary care estate development on the Didcot Great Western Park, following the committee's scrutiny of primary care services.

• Promoting Healthy Weight Policies: The JHOSC urged Oxford City and Cherwell District Councils to implement policies promoting healthier advertising and restricting hot food takeaway outlets near schools.

• Securing Further Resource for Epilepsy Services: Following a deep-dive into Oxfordshire’s epilepsy services, the committee recommended further resourcing, which was accepted by system partners.

• Securing Further Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funds: The committee secured additional CIL funding from the Vale District Council to support the redevelopment of Wantage Community Hospital.

The report also includes a chair's update, which notes that the JHOSC has intensified its scrutiny of healthcare services in Oxfordshire, while operating as a critical friend to those with responsibility for providing health services to local residents.

Oxfordshire as a Marmot Place

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on Oxfordshire becoming a Marmot Place, receiving insight into the work and progress to date.

The report explains that the Institute of Health Equity defines a Marmot Place as a place that:

recognises that health and health inequalities are mostly shaped by the social determinants of health: the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, and takes action to improve health and reduce health inequalities.

Source

Oxfordshire is initially focusing on three of the eight Marmot Principles:

• Give every child the best start in life
• Create fair employment and good work for all
• Ensure a healthy standard of living for all

To support these principles, work has begun to identify gaps and draft recommendations around health equity in early years, forge links with the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy and local businesses, understand rural inequalities, explore implementation of a system to support GPs in identifying patient needs through a health inequality lens, and develop policy research projects focusing on inequalities through the Local Policy Lab.

NHS Reforms Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on recent and ongoing NHS reforms from Matthew Tait, Chief Delivery Officer of the BOB ICB, and Stephen Chandler. These reforms include the government’s plans to integrate NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care, and to further reduce Integrated Care Board running costs. The committee was invited to discuss the implications of these developments on Oxfordshire Place, raise questions, and agree on any recommendations.

System Pressures Update

Karen Fuller, Director for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, was expected to present a report on pressures within the Oxfordshire Health and Care System. The report was scheduled to encompass key pressures affecting all of Oxfordshire’s health and care system partners, as well as insights into preparations being made for the winter season. The committee was invited to consider the report, raise questions, and agree on any recommendations.

Oxford Community Health Hubs Working Group Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update report from its Oxford Community Health Hubs Working Group. This report provides an update on the ongoing scrutiny of the Oxford Community Health Hubs Project launched by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The project aims to integrate primary, community, and dental care services within Oxford City into three hubs. The committee was recommended to note the work of the working group, confirm its support for the group’s continuation, and agree to the appointment of a fourth working group member.

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 it, having raised any questions arising.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Quality Account 2024-2025

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust was invited to present the Trust’s Annual Quality Account for the year 2024-2025. The committee was recommended to provide feedback on the Trust’s Quality Account and finalise the wording of the feedback subsequent to the meeting, submitting it to the Trust prior to the publication date at the end of June 2025.

Responses to HOSC Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to note responses to recommendations made as part of the following items:

1. Oxfordshire Healthy Weight
2. Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board Operating Model
3. Health and Wellbeing Strategy Outcomes Framework
4. Support for Patients Leaving Hospital
5. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust People Plan
6. Director of Public Health Annual Report

Chair's Update

The Chair was scheduled to provide a verbal update on relevant issues since the last meeting. The committee was recommended to note the Chair’s update, having raised any relevant questions.

The committee also needed to provide written feedback to the Quality Accounts for both Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In regards to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Quality Account, the committee was recommended to:

a) Agree to hold a private briefing with the Trust to discuss the Quality Account.

b) Agree to finalise the wording of the feedback subsequent to and outside this meeting, and to submit the feedback to the Trust prior to the publication date for the Quality Account at the end of June 2025.

NHS England requested that Integrated Care Boards share news with local HOSCs in relation to the redesignation of Urgent Care Centres and Minor Injuries Units into Urgent Treatment Centres, including the Minor Injury Units in Abingdon, Witney, and Henley.

The committee was also scheduled to receive a briefing from the BOB Integrated Care Board on the current state of Eye Care Services, following a letter written by Professor Ben Burton (Royal College of Opthamologists) to Stephen Kinnock MP (Minister of State for Care) in relation to Eye Care Services.

Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree to 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, having raised any questions.