The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on learning disability reviews and the development of an all-age autism strategy. The meeting also included discussions on adult and older adult mental health services, health visitor services, and the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan.

Chair's Update

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

Additionally, a proposal was to be submitted 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 establishment of a new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board. The committee was also to consider a letter sent to the Chief Executive and Chair of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust regarding maternity services, seeking clarification on errors in submitted data. A report containing recommendations on maternity services to Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust was also to be considered. Finally, the committee was to initiate a recruitment exercise for a vacant cooptee post.

Update on the Development of the All-Age Autism Strategy

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Care for Oxfordshire County Council, was invited to present a report on the ongoing development of an All-Age Autism Strategy for Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The report outlined that the draft strategy had been developed and shaped through wide public consultation and co-production with autistic individuals, families, professionals, and experts by experience. It aimed to address key issues such as long waits for diagnosis, fragmented services, limited awareness, and barriers to education, employment, and community life. Commitments included reducing diagnostic waits, expanding employment pathways, strengthening education practices, and ensuring reasonable adjustments. The strategy was to be delivered through partnerships between Oxfordshire County Council, the NHS, education providers, voluntary groups, and organisations representing autistic people and families. The Autism Improvement Board, co-chaired by the Head of Joint Commissioning – Live Well and an Expert-by-Experience, had provided oversight. The final draft strategy and implementation plan were to be presented to the Oxfordshire Health & Wellbeing Board for approval in July 2026.

Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan

A report on the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan was scheduled to be presented. The plan was described as a ten-year strategy developed through extensive engagement and consultation, including focus groups, self-advocacy groups, and a World Café event. The plan aligned with national policy and aimed to improve services for adults with learning disabilities. Key priorities included addressing inequalities in healthcare access, co-existing conditions, and barriers faced by people from ethnic minority communities. The plan also emphasised system-wide collaboration across health, social care, and the voluntary sector, with a focus on joint commissioning and integrated governance. The committee was recommended to note the report and agree any recommendations.

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 NHSFT, were invited to present a report providing an update on Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The report highlighted progress in shifting care earlier and closer to home, with expanded community provision through Keystone Hubs and embedded mental health practitioners in primary care. It also detailed improvements in crisis pathways, such as the 24/7 NHS 111 Mental Health Helpline and the development of a countywide Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment model. The report also addressed demand for acute and older adult mental health beds, the use of out-of-area placements, length of stay, discharge pathways, workforce pressures, and estate plans, including the Warneford Park redevelopment.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Veronica Barry, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, was scheduled to present an update from Healthwatch Oxfordshire. The update was expected to cover recent activities, including monitoring issues with new systems, concerns about musculoskeletal services, discharge processes, and the new non-emergency transport service. Healthwatch's community research, including work on cancer access and mental health services, was also to be discussed. The committee was invited to consider the update and note any questions.

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 NHSFT, were invited to present a report on Health Visitor Services in Oxfordshire. The report was to provide an overview of the commissioned service, mandated reviews, digital systems, safeguarding, feedback from parents, quality assurance, workforce, and system collaboration. The service supports the first 1,001 days of life, providing a universal framework of assessments, screening, and support for all families, with targeted input for those with greater needs. The report was to detail performance against mandated reviews, locality variation, and improvement actions, as well as the use of digital tools to support service delivery.

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, having raised any questions.