The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire County Council met on Wednesday 25 February 2026. Key discussions included the Quarter 3 Integrated Performance Report, which highlighted an overspend of £6.7 million, and the proposed Older Adults Hospital at Home Provision, which was not endorsed by the committee. The committee also reviewed the Draft Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31, agreeing to provide comments.

Questions to the Portfolio Holder

Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, addressed questions from committee members. Councillor Max Langer raised concerns about primary care facilities in Kenilworth being at capacity. Councillor Sonko confirmed that Warwickshire County Council is involved in discussions led by Warwick District Council, in collaboration with the Primary Care Network and Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, to potentially develop a health and wellbeing centre in Kenilworth. An options appraisal feasibility study is underway, and Section 106 developer requests are being made to secure funding for new space. Councillor Sonko also provided an update on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in adult social care, noting its application in assistive technology, re-ablement services, and for assessment and transcription support. While use cases have been identified, specific savings figures are not yet available. The committee will be kept abreast of plans and associated risks.

Questions to the NHS

Questions were posed to NHS commissioners and service providers. Councillor David Johnston inquired about the capacity of local services to meet demand pending the development of a new GP surgery at Upper Lighthorn in South Warwickshire. It was confirmed that the ICB is working with Stratford District Council on proposals for a health and wellbeing hub, and that eight GP practice sites nearby have capacity and are CQC rated as good. Councillor Pamela Redford raised concerns about the impact of planned housing developments on GP surgeries and hospital beds, urging the NHS to be on board with the joint local plan. Councillor Kate Rolfe asked about health provision at Ellen Badger Hospital in Shipston, and when GP services would move into the building. It was confirmed that Ellen Badger Hospital hosts a wide range of health services, and Shipston Medical Centre has a 30-year lease to deliver GP services from the first floor, with GPs expected to begin operating within the next month. The allocation of space is approximately 70% for direct clinical healthcare and 30% for community wellbeing activities.

Quarter 3 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26

Pete Sidgwick presented the Quarter 3 Integrated Performance Report. The report indicated that 80% of the Council Delivery Plan deliverables within the committee's remit were on plan, with 10% challenged and 10% unreported. Of the 88 key business measures, 12 fall within the committee's remit, with 58.3% (7) delivering, an improvement from 66% in the previous quarter. However, an overspend of £6.7 million was reported for the directorate area, equating to 2.3% of the revenue budget, representing an underachievement of savings of 31%. This underachievement is linked to demand, where increased demand for services challenges the delivery of savings. The report also noted the draft Local Outcomes Framework, a nationally driven framework expected to influence local government performance from April 2026. Becky Hale highlighted that Warwickshire is among the top 10 authorities nationally for its CQC outcome for adult social care, with areas of outstanding practice noted. Councillor Tracey Drew raised a question about managing demand, and Pete Sidgwick clarified that eligibility criteria have not changed and remain driven by the CARE Act. Efforts are focused on supporting people to be more independent through reablement and technology. Councillor Max Langer noted limitations in the Local Outcomes Framework regarding integration measures between health and social care, and the committee discussed ongoing work to strengthen joint working and support timely discharge from hospital. The committee also discussed the safe accommodation for victim survivors of abuse, with Sade Agboola noting that while a property manager is now involved, the ambitious target of 31 units by March has been challenging due to external forces. Concerns were also raised about infant health checks, with Sade Agboola attributing poor performance to the commissioning process for a new service, which is now in place and expected to show improvement. Regarding Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), it was clarified that while the service is not in a negative position against national targets for mental illness, the story for neurodiversity referral issues is different. The Mental Health School Service (MHST) was highlighted as a positive story, making sure children and young people are served earlier in their pathway.

Older Adults Hospital at Home Provision

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) presented on the enhancement of older adult services, focusing on a Hospital at Home model. The aim is to strengthen community-based care, consolidate inpatient provision, and improve quality and equity. It was stressed that no inpatient beds would close unless CWPT was clear that the Hospital at Home team could meet patient needs safely and to the required quality. The current model of provision was outlined, highlighting the separation of services for functional and non-functional mental illnesses and the travel required for patients in South Warwickshire with non-functional illness to access beds in Nuneaton. The presentation detailed the Hospital at Home model, which provides intensive assessment and treatment in a person's own home by a specialist multidisciplinary team, operating seven days a week for typically up to two weeks, with step-up and step-down approaches. A pilot of a care home in-reach service and nurses going into wards showed compelling data, with 96% of 151 patients safely managed at home or in their care home. Councillor John Holland expressed shock at the proposed closure of Woodloes House Hospital to inpatients and reduction of dementia beds at St Michael's Hospital, stating there was no consultation with elected representatives and that Hospital at Home could not substitute for inpatient beds. He called for a stop to the process to allow for proper discussion with local councillors and the community. The CWPT representatives explained that the changes are evidence-led, aligned with national policy, and supported by clinical evidence and pilot data. They assured that no beds would be closed unless CWPT was confident the Hospital at Home model was working successfully. Councillor Kate Rolfe stated she could not endorse the approach due to concerns about transparency, consultation, and the perceived financial reasons for closing Woodloes. Councillor David Johnston expressed concern about provision for South Warwickshire and whether Ferndale Ward could cope without travel to Nuneaton. The committee voted on the approach, with a majority voting to note the information for assurance regarding national and local mandates, but the endorsement of the approach to improving equity of access for older adults and enhanced service provision was not achieved due to member reservations.

National Oversight Framework (NOF)

Rachael Danter from Coventry and Warwickshire ICB reported that updated NOF scores were expected soon and recommended deferring consideration of this item to the next meeting to ensure members received the most current information. This was agreed.

Draft Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31

Alex Duckett from the Public Health team introduced the draft Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-31. The strategy outlines how partners will improve population health, prevent ill-health, and reduce inequalities. The development process involved extensive engagement with partners, stakeholders, and the public. The strategy focuses on three county-wide priorities: creating conditions for good mental health and wellbeing, tackling poverty and health inequalities, and supporting people to move more and eat well. The committee was invited to consider and comment on the draft strategy.

Work Programme and Future Meeting Dates

The committee reviewed its Work Programme. Items to be added included the National Oversight Framework (NOF), progress on recommendations from the Menopause Services Task and Finish review, an update on the Carer's Offer, a detailed consideration of Dementia Diagnosis and Support, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Adult Social Care and Health. It was also agreed to hold a joint meeting with the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review the Council's response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Future meeting dates were noted, with the next meeting scheduled for 22 April 2026.