The Health Scrutiny Committee of Hertfordshire Council met on Monday 10 November 2025 to receive an update on mental health and learning disability services from the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT). The committee also reviewed and approved its work programme for 2025/26.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) Update on Mental Health and Learning Disability Services

The committee received a comprehensive update from HPFT, highlighting the significant increase in demand for mental health services, particularly among young people and adults, since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these pressures, HPFT was commended for its high performance in many areas, including timely access to general adolescent support and psychological therapies.

A major concern raised was the long waiting times for ADHD and autism assessments for both children and adults, with over 3,100 young people and 3,300 adults awaiting assessment or treatment. HPFT is working with partners to redesign pathways and improve capacity, including the introduction of a single referral hub and a county-wide Neurodiversity Support Hub.

The Trust also faces significant pressure regarding adult acute mental health beds, with a shortfall of approximately 60 beds compared to national benchmarks. This necessitates the purchase of expensive independent sector beds, costing £16 million annually. While plans for a new 54-bed unit are in development, capital funding has yet to be secured. In the interim, HPFT is working to increase capacity by 16 beds and has opened a new Mental Health Urgent Care Centre in Stevenage, which has supported over 2,000 people in crisis.

The committee heard about HPFT's strong focus on its workforce, with reduced vacancy and turnover rates and positive staff survey results. The Trust's partnerships with the University of Hertfordshire and schools were also highlighted, with Mental Health Support Teams in Schools now supporting 46% of schools across the county. The integrated health and social care approach with Hertfordshire County Council was praised as a significant strength.

In response to the ongoing bed pressures, the committee resolved to write a strong letter to the Secretary of State advocating for increased funding to address the shortfall.

Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed and approved its work programme for the upcoming year. Key items to be addressed include feedback on patient experience, changes to the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and updates on various health services across the county. The committee also agreed to add several new items to the work programme, including:

• The impact of generative AI systems in NHS trusts.
• Phlebotomy services and waiting times, with a specific concern raised about three-week waits in the borough of Broxbourne.
• The development of new GP surgeries and the challenges in securing developer contributions.
• Updates on Mount Vernon Urgent Care Centre, gambling harms, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

The committee also agreed to write to the ICB to request updated points of contact due to ongoing organisational changes. Concerns were raised about the accessibility of digital services for those without computer access and the potential impact on vulnerable patient groups. The committee also noted a consultant's concerns regarding delays in cancer patient results due to changes in laboratory systems.