The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for 7 January 2026 was set to cover a range of important health and social care topics for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Key discussions were planned around sexual and reproductive health commissioning, the annual report from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board, and advancements in research across the region. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates from Cabinet Members and address public questions.

Public Questions

The committee was scheduled to hear questions from the public. One question received was from Mr N Morson of Ponsanooth, Truro, who enquired about current waiting times in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for care home places and for domestic care support packages, noting capacity issues at local hospitals.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Commissioning

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the commissioning intentions for local Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. Public Health Cornwall has a statutory obligation to provide these services, which include testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, sexual health promotion, and HIV prevention. The current contracts were due to expire on 30 November 2026, necessitating a recommissioning process to avoid gaps in service. The plan was to split the procurement into four lots: clinical services (face-to-face), digital/online services, young people's support and education, and community-based prevention and outreach. The report highlighted a rise in teenage conceptions and STIs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the recommissioning aims to contribute to the 10-year SRH Strategy by providing sustainable, efficient, and accessible services. The recommendation was that the committee supports the continuation of these plans.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board – Annual Report 2024-2025

The committee was scheduled to receive the annual report from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board (CIoS SAB). This report details the Board's activity against its strategic priorities and includes information on partners' activities related to safeguarding adults. The report covers learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs), partner data, and subgroup activity. Key themes identified in the report included self-neglect, physical abuse, and psychological abuse as the highest categories of adult abuse. The report also detailed progress on SARs, including three published reviews in the past year, and highlighted the introduction of the SAR Implementation Panel to strengthen the assurance framework for learning from SARs. The report noted an increase in safeguarding concerns and Section 42 enquiries, which were largely attributed to changes in internal processes rather than a direct rise in risk.

Research in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and the Commercial Research Delivery Centre

The committee was to be provided with an overview of the recently awarded Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This initiative, led by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT), aims to expand and accelerate research across the county by embedding research into routine care pathways and improving access to cutting-edge studies. The CRDC is designed as a system-wide platform, linking secondary, primary, and community care settings. A significant development highlighted was the award of a Primary Care Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC-PC), strengthening the focus on research delivery closer to people's homes. The report also detailed the use of a Mobile Research Unit (MRU) to address travel and access barriers for participants in rural and coastal areas. The committee was asked to note the update provided.

Peninsula Soft Tissue Sarcoma Services

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Peninsula Soft Tissue Sarcoma Services. The report indicated that Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) had secured a locum consultant from January 2026 to deliver specialist care for sarcoma patients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Recruitment in this area has been a national challenge. The proposed model of care outlined that diagnostic pathways and inpatient care for acutely unwell patients would remain in Cornwall. Outpatient chemotherapy would be delivered locally at RCHT, while inpatient chemotherapy for a small number of patients would be delivered in Exeter. Radical radiotherapy services were planned to transition back to RCHT in Spring 2026. The report noted that discussions were ongoing with commissioners regarding funding for patient accommodation and travel for those receiving inpatient chemotherapy in Exeter. The committee was recommended to note the content of the report, the appointment of the locum consultant, and a further meeting to discuss progress.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive updates from Cabinet Members. Councillor Thalia Marrington, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health and Deputy Group Leader - Liberal Democrat Group, provided an update highlighting the success of the 'Towards Zero' suicide prevention conference, recognition of Public Health Cornwall as an 'Excellent' training location, and the launch of a winter wellbeing campaign. Councillor Jim McKenna, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, was also expected to provide an update.