The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of adult social care services, proposed bed reductions at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and the committee's work programme.

CQC Improvement and Adult, Health and Wellbeing Services Transformation

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to focus on Lancashire County Council's response to its 'Requires Improvement' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its adult social care services, following an assessment in February 2025. The report, published in August 2025, highlighted areas for improvement, particularly concerning assessment waiting times, alongside strengths in risk management and multi-disciplinary collaboration. The committee will be provided with an overview of the council's progress in addressing these findings and an outline of the transformation priorities for Adult, Health and Wellbeing Services for 2026-27. This discussion will also cover the assurance processes with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the CQC, and potential impacts of updated CQC characteristics. The report notes that Lancashire County Council is up to date with its required reporting to the DHSC.

Proposed Bed Reductions at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary

The committee is scheduled to consider proposals for bed reductions at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Preston. The University Hospitals Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT) has put forward these proposals as part of a strategy to right size its hospitals, aligning with the NHS 10-year plan's emphasis on moving care from hospitals to the community. The report indicates that a reduction of 24 beds, equivalent to one ward, is proposed for Castle View (previously Medical Unit 2), representing 7.4% of the general and acute bed base. This is anticipated to generate savings of approximately £443,000 in the 2025/26 financial year and £1.77 million in 2026/27. The report states that these changes are intended to improve patient flow, ensure patients receive care in the most appropriate setting, and reallocate financial resources effectively. The committee will be asked to provide a view on whether these proposals constitute a significant service change that would necessitate a period of formal public consultation. A similar reduction of 18 beds is also underway at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and Steering Group Work Programmes

The committee will review its work programmes for 2025/26, including responses to previous recommendations and any in-year requests. Two specific in-year requests are to be considered for inclusion: one concerning NHS Never Events and another on Mental Health Services and integration across other services. The report on NHS Never Events, submitted by County Councillor Thomas de Freitas, highlights that these are entirely preventable incidents and that scrutiny could lead to recommendations for their reduction. The request regarding mental health services, put forward by County Councillor Mark Jewell, focuses on improving outcomes for individuals with complex needs and mental health issues, and enhancing the integration between NHS, social care, and voluntary services.

Report of the Health Scrutiny Steering Group

An update on the activities of the Health Scrutiny Steering Group, which met on 6 January 2026, will be presented. The group discussed a Public Health Service Update, noting the alignment of Public Health with the Adults, Health and Wellbeing Directorate to foster closer collaboration on prevention-led services. They also reviewed the provision of NHS Health Checks across Lancashire, acknowledging the programme's recognition for innovative practice and ongoing efforts to reduce inequalities in uptake.

Joint Health Scrutiny Committee - Shaping Care Together Programme

The committee will receive an update on the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee established with Sefton Council to review the Shaping Care Together programme. This joint committee was formed because the programme was confirmed as a substantial variation of service provision. The first meeting of this joint committee took place on 20 January 2026, where the Chair and Deputy Chair were confirmed, and terms of reference were established. A further meeting is planned to discuss the full details of the consultation outcome and final proposals.