The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council met on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss the review of Locally Commissioned Services in Primary Care, receive updates from various health-related boards and groups, and review the committee's work programme. A key decision was made to invite the Integrated Care Board (ICB) back in 6-12 months to provide an update on the progress and impact of changes to Locally Commissioned Services.

Review of Locally Commissioned Services in Primary Care

The committee received an update on the Integrated Care Board's (ICB) review of Locally Commissioned Services (LCS) in Primary Care. The aim of this review is to ensure fair, consistent, and high-quality services for all residents across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, with a focus on raising standards and aligning with national best practice and local population needs. The distinction between national General Medical Services (GMS) contracts and LCS, which can be tailored to local requirements, was clarified.

Concerns were raised by committee members regarding how the ICB would manage situations where GP practices might decline to deliver certain LCS. It was confirmed that while GP practices are the preferred providers, alternative delivery models, such as through Primary Care Networks, federations, or partner organisations, would be explored to guarantee service continuity for patients. The overarching principle is to ensure patients always receive the necessary services, even if the delivery method varies.

Members also highlighted challenges related to access in rural areas, particularly where public transport is limited, and the difficulties faced by GP practices seeking to expand services but lacking the necessary space or facilities. The Interim Chief Medical Officer for the ICB acknowledged these issues and stressed the importance of developing local solutions.

Questions were posed about investment in LCS and the potential transfer of resources from secondary to primary care. Members were informed that figures are currently under negotiation, with a commitment to increased investment and transparency once finalised. The shift of resources, including staff and equipment, is planned to be gradual and pathway-specific, aligning with the 10-year plan to move care closer to the community.

Recommendation: The committee recommended that the ICB be invited back in 6-12 months to provide an update on progress, impact assessments, and learning from the implemented changes.

Update from the Health and Wellbeing Board

Councillor Bernie Bentick, Portfolio Holder for Health, provided a summary of the recent Health and Wellbeing Board meeting. Key topics discussed included the disbanding of Healthwatch Shropshire, statutory reforms in family and children's services, housing and health action plans, challenges with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and alternative provision, progress on the health and wellbeing strategy, and NHS reforms.

Members expressed significant concerns regarding the loss of Healthwatch Shropshire and the subsequent need for an independent patient voice. The committee discussed exploring alternative models and partner involvement to ensure this voice is maintained and agreed to continue lobbying on this issue, incorporating it into future workshops and committee agendas.

Appointment to Joint HOSC

This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting due to ongoing discussions regarding the appointment of a new member to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) to fill the vacancy left by Councillor Chris Naylor.

Update from the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC)

Councillor Rosie Radford, Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported that the JHOSC has been focusing on enhancing how patient experience and community voice shape their work. This has involved informal meetings and planning sessions with officers, Healthwatch, and NHS partners to ensure their scrutiny efforts are focused and grounded in real-life experiences. The JHOSC has agreed to examine patient pathways and community health provision more closely, and will be reviewing updates on the Hospital Transformation Programme alongside community health provision as wider system changes progress. Their objective is to understand patient journeys through services and identify local pressures or gaps.

Work Programme

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer presented the committee's work programme, prompting members to identify any missing topics, prioritise areas for review, and plan future briefings and investigations. Discussions highlighted the need to review how local community needs, as identified by the ICB, translate into service offerings, the impact of voluntary LCS, and the importance of understanding GP contracts and the local service implications of NHS reforms.

Members raised concerns about the future of the West Midlands Ambulance Service station, patient transport for dialysis and other regular appointments, and the necessity for data-driven briefings to inform the committee's scrutiny. The ongoing issues of a lack of NHS dentists and rural access were also emphasised, with suggestions to integrate these topics into broader discussions on community medicine provision and system-level commissioning.

Resolved: The committee resolved to seek further information and briefings on patient transport, ambulance services, and GP out-of-hours contracts. The focus will be on obtaining factual data and understanding local provider arrangements before undertaking deeper scrutiny.

Update from the Health in All Policies (HiAP) and Planning Task and Finish Group

Members received an update on the Health in All Policies and Planning Task and Finish Group. The update detailed the group's multidisciplinary approach to embedding health considerations into planning policy, along with key findings related to housing, rurality, and health impact assessments.

Resolved: It was agreed that the Task and Finish Group's final report would not require formal approval from the Committee. Instead, the draft report will be circulated to members for comment, and then finalised by the Chairs before being submitted directly to Cabinet. This decision was made to prevent delays and ensure that the findings can be incorporated into planning policy work that is already in progress.

Public Question Time

One public question was received from David Sandbach, relating to the reports on the Review of Investment in Primary Care: Locally Commissioned Services. In response to a supplementary question, NHS colleagues confirmed they would provide Mr Sandbach with a timescale for the publication of the impact assessment. The question and response can be found here.