The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Neighbourhood Health Development Plan for Lancashire and the collaboration between health, adult social care, and the community sector. The committee also reviewed the winter plan for 2025/26 and discussed the work programmes for the committee and its steering group.

Neighbourhood Health Development Plan and Winter Plan

The committee received an update on the Neighbourhood Health Development Plan for Lancashire, which aims to shift the focus from treatment to prevention, deliver services within communities, and leverage digital opportunities. The plan is part of a 10-year national health strategy. Progress has been made on agreeing neighbourhood footprints at the district level, identifying priority outcomes based on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Strategy, and establishing a governance framework. However, clarity is still needed on the scope of services within neighbourhood health plans and how they will be delivered through integrated neighbourhood teams.

The committee also discussed the implementation of the Winter Plan 2025/26, highlighting the collaborative efforts between health, adult social care, and the voluntary sector in managing pressures on NHS trusts. Presentations from East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals detailed innovations and challenges faced during the winter period, including the successful implementation of a frailty same-day emergency care pathway and efforts to reduce days kept away from home. The importance of partnership working and a person-centred approach to ensure patients are discharged to their homes with appropriate support was emphasised.

Key discussions and recommendations from this agenda item included:

• Funding for Initiatives: Councillor Mohammed Iqbal MBE raised concerns about the funding for these initiatives, to which it was stated that there is no new money available, and the focus is on better orchestration of existing resources.
• Community Engagement: Councillor Gaynor Hargreaves highlighted the difficulty in engaging the community, particularly in deprived areas, and the need for more effective communication. The committee was assured that efforts are being made to change engagement approaches and reach hardly reached communities.
• Systemic Change: Councillor Mark Hindle expressed scepticism about the long-term success of the plan without the full commitment of senior NHS leaders and a willingness to challenge existing systems and unions.
• Preventative Health Investment: Councillor Mark Jewell proposed that the authority consider investing in preventative health, such as community practitioners and targeted interventions for low-income families and those with chronic conditions.
• Early Intervention: Councillor Howard Hartley and Councillor M France emphasised the importance of starting prevention from birth and integrating it into schools, with Councillor France highlighting the success of social prescribing schemes and the need for care navigators.
• Hospital Bed Capacity and Discharge: The committee discussed the challenges of hospital bed occupancy, particularly due to emergency admissions, and the efforts to improve discharge processes and reduce days kept away from home. The role of social workers in emergency departments and the development of cohort wards for patients ready for discharge were highlighted.
• Corridor Care: Concerns were raised about corridor care, and it was confirmed that significant work is underway to eradicate it, with measures in place to mitigate risks and move patients to appropriate ward areas when necessary.
• GP Provision: Councillor Mark Gawith suggested considering on-site GP services at A&E departments during peak times to reduce pressure. It was noted that Lancashire Teaching Hospitals already has co-located GP provision within its emergency departments.

The committee agreed to receive a report in October 2026 detailing lessons learned from the Winter Plan 2025/26 and outlining the joint NHS and Adult Social Care Winter Plan for 2026/27. Further committee engagement on the Neighbourhood Health Development Plan was also considered.

Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and Steering Group Work Programmes

The committee reviewed the work programmes for both the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and the Steering Group for 2025/26. The work programme includes planned scrutiny activities related to Adult Services, Public Health, and NHS services.

Key points from this agenda item included:

• Vascular and Orthodontic Services: The committee noted the current position regarding consultations on vascular and orthodontic services and requested updates.
• NHS Never Events: An item on 'NHS Never Events' will be considered by the Steering Group as part of its review of Trust Quality Accounts in May.
• Mental Health Integration: The in-year request on mental health integration will be incorporated into the agenda for the 22 April meeting.
• Care Home Redesign: The council is seeking legal advice regarding the redesign of care homes due to PURDA and upcoming elections.

The committee also discussed the date of the next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, 22 April 2026.