The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on 16 April 2026 to discuss updates on learning disability and autism strategies, mental health services, and health visiting services. The meeting also included a chair's update and a review of the committee's forward work plan.

Chair's Update

The Chair was scheduled to provide a verbal update on recent issues. A key point for discussion was a request for information submitted to the Integrated Care Board regarding the timeliness and oversight of Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) reviews for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The committee was to receive an update on current performance against NHS England LeDeR Key Performance Indicators, governance and accountability structures for LeDeR reviews, the capacity and resilience of the LeDeR function, and any recovery actions being taken.

Additionally, the committee was to consider a proposal to formally dissolve the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (BOB JHOSC) and establish a new Thames Valley JHOSC, given the formation of a new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board. A letter had also been sent to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust regarding maternity services, seeking clarification on data inaccuracies in a submitted report. The committee was also to be informed about a vacant co-optee post and the initiation of a recruitment exercise.

Update on the Development of the All-Age Autism Strategy

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Care for Oxfordshire County Council, was scheduled to present a report on the ongoing development of an All-Age Autism Strategy for Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider this report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The draft strategy, developed through extensive public consultation and co-production with autistic individuals, families, professionals, and experts by experience, aimed to address issues such as long waits for diagnosis, fragmented services, limited awareness, and barriers to education, employment, and community life. Key priority areas identified included community awareness, supporting autistic children and young people in education, health and care needs, autism assessment and support, housing and employment, and the criminal justice system. The strategy was intended to be presented to the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board for approval in July 2026.

Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan

A report on the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan was scheduled for discussion, presented by Dr. Omid Nouri, Health Scrutiny Officer for Oxfordshire County Council. The plan, developed over ten years and co-produced with people with learning disabilities, their families, carers, and professionals, focused on four central themes: having a good life, health and wellbeing, a place to live, and homes not hospitals, supported by cross-cutting elements such as transitions, workforce, technology, and inclusion. The committee was to consider recommendations including the potential for an anniversary event to share progress and good practice, the development of outcome measures for the strategy, a statement from partners on their roles and contributions to learning disability services, and further engagement with people with learning disabilities, autism, and epilepsy, alongside relevant voluntary sector organisations.

Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Oxfordshire

Dan Leveson, Director of Places and Communities at the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, and Rob Bale, Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health and Learning Disability at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, were invited to present a report providing an update on Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Oxfordshire. The committee was to consider this report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. This item was also linked to a motion passed by Oxfordshire County Council requesting the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee to investigate and report on how mental health services are addressing the rising prevalence and impact of poor mental health among adults and children in Oxfordshire. The investigation was to include accessibility to services, impacts on other public services, and the experiences of individuals, families, and communities.

Health Visitor Services in Oxfordshire

Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire County Council, and Emma Leaver, Chief Operating Officer for Community Health Services, Dentistry & Primary Care at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, were scheduled to present a report on Health Visitor Services in Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider this report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The report detailed the integrated 0–19 Public Health Nursing Service, its operational model, mandated contacts, specialist roles, partnership with Home-Start, workforce sustainability, performance against mandated reviews, digital support, safeguarding processes, and system collaboration.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Veronica Barry, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, was invited to present an update from Healthwatch Oxfordshire. The committee was to consider this update and note any arising questions. The update was expected to cover Healthwatch Oxfordshire's reports to external bodies, activities since the last meeting, Enter and View visits, webinars, and forthcoming reports. It was also to summarise themes heard from the public regarding mental health services, dementia support, and experiences with South Central Ambulance Services.

Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree the proposed work programme for its upcoming meetings.

Actions and Recommendations Tracker

The committee was recommended to note the progress made against agreed actions and recommendations.