The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the progress of the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme and an update on Lancashire Constabulary's Right Care, Right Person initiative. Key discussions included the integration of health and social care services, improvements in access to mental health support, and the police's role in responding to welfare concerns.

Community Mental Health Transformation Programme Update

The committee received an update on the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, which aims to improve mental and physical health, prevent ill health, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with moderate to severe mental illness and complex needs. The programme has focused on developing place-based 'hubs' and integrated neighbourhood teams, co-locating health and social care teams, and offering informal drop-in sessions within community services. New models of care, such as Lancashire County Council's strengths-based practice and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust's (LSCFT) Dialog+, have been implemented to ensure person-centred care.

Key achievements highlighted include:

• Improved Access: Enhanced multidisciplinary teams (eMDTs) have been developed through district-based virtual 'hubs' to ensure the right professionals are involved in a person's care. Accommodation pathways have been strengthened, including step-down facilities and residential rehabilitation. Access to employment support has been improved through the expansion of Individual Placement Support (IPS).
• Prevention: The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team (MHWBT) works with Primary Care Networks and Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) partners to deliver early intervention and preventative support. The use of the Public Health in Lancashire bus has increased visibility and facilitated earlier conversations about wellbeing.
• Integration: The programme has fostered collaboration between health, social care, and the VCFSE sector, with a commitment to shared decision-making and integrated commissioning for complex cases.

However, challenges remain, including concerns about workforce capacity, waiting lists for community mental health assessments, and the need for more accessible information and a simplified customer journey. The report also noted that housing remains a significant barrier to achieving good outcomes.

The committee discussed the reliance on the voluntary, community, and faith sector, with Councillor Shaun Crimmins expressing concern about ensuring equal partnership and access to training for these organisations. Councillor Mark Jewell raised observations from a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, highlighting challenged relationships between local authorities and health partners, low staff morale, and a backlog of Care Act assessments.

The committee also discussed the issue of individuals with mental health issues presenting at A&E departments, with concerns raised about the appropriateness of this as a place of safety and the potential for prolonged waits. It was noted that a board has been established to report directly to the Lancashire Safeguarding Adult Board regarding delays in accessing mental health beds.

Recommendations were made regarding the location of support housing and hubs, further information on drop-in sessions, a housing presentation, and figures for A&E attendances for mental health patients.

Lancashire Constabulary Right Care, Right Person Update

Superintendent Martin Storey provided an update on Lancashire Constabulary's Right Care, Right Person programme. This initiative aims to provide a clear framework for police staff to determine the most suitable agency for responding to Concern for Safety reports. The police will respond to welfare checks when engaged in core duties or to uphold Article 2 or Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which includes protecting life and property.

Decisions on attendance are risk-led, not resource-led, and are guided by the Public Assistance and Service Standards (PASS) policy, which categorises responses from Emergency (within 15 minutes) to Telephone Resolution. The THRIVE+ model is used for risk assessment, considering threat, harm, risk, vulnerability, and engagement.

Over the past 12 months, Lancashire Constabulary received approximately 35,000 Concern for Safety reports, deploying to 63% of these incidents. When a decision is made not to deploy, control room operators can escalate the matter to a supervisor for review. Since the programme's introduction in 2022, there have been no formal notices from a Coroner relating to its implementation. The Constabulary remains committed to working with health, adult social care, and voluntary sector partners to ensure vulnerable people receive the most appropriate response.

The committee also heard about the work of street triage teams, who work alongside LSCFT healthcare professionals to respond to mental health calls, and the mental health diversionary panel, which reviews cases of individuals in police custody with potential mental health contributions.

Health Scrutiny Steering Group Report

The committee received a report on the activities of the Health Scrutiny Steering Group. The group met on 24 February and 7 April 2026, considering updates from Healthwatch Lancashire, the NHS Quality Impact Assessment Review, and the University Hospitals Morecambe Bay Trust.

• Healthwatch Lancashire reported on their work gathering and championing the experiences of people using health and social care services, with recent projects focusing on women's health, disability access, and maternity services.
• The NHS Quality Impact Assessment Review highlighted revised national guidance and a four-stage process for assessing the potential impact of proposed service changes.
• The University Hospitals Morecambe Bay Trust provided an update on financial improvements, quality and safety enhancements, and progress in patient access, while acknowledging ongoing pressures such as emergency department overcrowding and workforce challenges.

The Steering Group also discussed the Better Care Fund, noting that while it is a funding mechanism, many determinants of reduced life expectancy, such as access to cancer screening, are commissioned through core NHS services. Concerns were raised about the availability of preventative mental health advocacy support, which falls outside the scope of the Better Care Fund.

Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and Steering Group Work Programmes 2025/26

The committee reviewed its work programmes for 2025/26. The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee's programme includes reports on Adult Services, Public Health, and NHS services, with a focus on CQC inspection outcomes, prevention strategies, and adult mental health integration. The Health Scrutiny Steering Group's programme includes updates on winter planning, quality impact assessments, and reports from various NHS trusts.

The committee noted that a session would be arranged in May to discuss the work programme for 2026/27.

The next ordinary meeting of the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at 10:00 am.