The Health and Adults Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Doncaster Council was scheduled to discuss the Health Protection Assurance Annual Report for 2025/26 and review the council's Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and Forward Plan of Key Decisions. The meeting's agenda also included the minutes from the previous meeting and a period for public statements.

Health Protection Assurance Annual Report for 2025/26

The panel was scheduled to consider the Health Protection Assurance Annual Report for 2025/26, which provides an overview of health protection activities in Doncaster. The report covers several key areas: Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR); Infection Prevention and Control (IPC); Air Quality; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Substance Misuse; Suicide Prevention; and Immunisation and Screening Programmes.

The report indicated that there is an effective system in place to protect the health of Doncaster residents, with generally positive health protection outcomes, though some challenges are being managed. It detailed participation in national pandemic preparedness exercises, the development of a Psychological Support Plan, and the updating of the Multi-Agency Outbreak Plan. The report also outlined responses to various health protection incidents, including complex tuberculosis cases, a syphilis outbreak, invasive group A streptococcal infections, and a case of botulism.

In terms of Infection Prevention and Control, the report highlighted low rates of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (DBTH), with zero cases of MRSA bacteraemia, MSSA bacteraemia, Gram Negative bacteraemia, and Clostridioides difficile infection. It also detailed audit programmes, outbreak management, and campaigns such as World Hand Hygiene Day and International IPC Week.

Regarding Air Quality, the report noted that nitrogen dioxide concentrations had decreased at many locations in Doncaster, with all monitoring sites remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Several Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) were identified as suitable for revocation. The report also mentioned the use of drones to enforce Smoke Control Areas, funded by the Environment Act (2021).

For Sexual and Reproductive Health, the report covered services for adults provided by Solutions4Health Ltd and for young people by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH). Achievements included the recruitment of a Lead Consultant and the introduction of new vaccination programmes. The report also addressed challenges such as staff sickness and vacant posts, and efforts to increase the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

The Substance Misuse section detailed drug and alcohol treatment services commissioned by Public Health and delivered by Aspire. It highlighted achievements such as the effectiveness of the Aspire Outreach Team, needle exchange provision, and the Doncaster Local Drug Intelligence System Protocol. Challenges included pharmacy needle exchange provision interest and drug-related deaths associated with synthetic opioids.

The Suicide Prevention section noted that the Council leads the local Suicide Prevention Plan. It reported a significant scale of need nationally, but indicated encouraging signs of progress in South Yorkshire, including an emerging reduction in suspected suicides locally and a high volume of referrals to the AMPARO service.

Finally, the Immunisation and Screening Programmes section provided an overview of programme delivery, performance, and service developments. This included updates on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening, Antenatal and Newborn (ANNB) screening, Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP), Cervical Screening, Bowel Screening, and Breast Screening. It also covered Seasonal Flu vaccination and routine immunisations, including changes to the childhood immunisation schedule.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The panel was also scheduled to review the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. The Work Plan outlines the planned activities for scrutiny committees throughout the year, detailing topics for discussion and review. The Forward Plan provides details of all Key Decisions expected to be taken by the Cabinet, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Portfolio Holders, or Officers within a four-month period, updated monthly. This section of the agenda would have allowed the panel to understand the council's upcoming decision-making processes and areas of focus.