The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council met on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, to discuss a range of significant health and social care matters. Key topics included the restructuring of Integrated Care Boards, progress in health determinants research, future plans for personalisation and co-production in adult social care, access to primary care services, and a specific patient consultation regarding a GP branch surgery.

Clustering Arrangements for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (CIoS ICB)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the clustering arrangements between the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (CIoS ICB) and NHS Devon ICB. This follows national requirements for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to reduce running costs and move towards a more strategic commissioning model, with new cluster structures expected to operate from April 2026. The report indicated that for Cornwall, the financial allocation would remain protected, statutory responsibilities would continue, and operational plans would operate on the existing footprint during the transition. The CIoS ICB confirmed it was undertaking a detailed review to map how statutory duties, such as safeguarding, SEND, and public health, would be delivered within the new structure. The committee was asked to consider the implications for local accountability, system leadership, and operational decision-making, with a recommendation to continue regular oversight and receive further reports.

Progress by Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Cornwall

The committee was set to review the progress of the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Cornwall, which was awarded funding by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to increase research capacity within Cornwall Council. The report highlighted the collaborative nature of research involving health and social care, the voluntary sector, and academic institutions. The HDRC Cornwall aims to strengthen the council's position as an evidence-led, community-informed, and research-active local authority, benefiting residents by improving health and wellbeing and addressing inequalities. The committee was invited to contribute to shaping the three-year strategy for HDRC Cornwall.

Personalisation and Coproduction Future Plans

An update was scheduled on the progress of embedding co-production and personalisation across Adult Social Care (ASC) in Cornwall. This workstream aims to strengthen choice, control, independence, and citizenship for individuals accessing adult social care support. Key developments included the establishment of the Together We Can Forum for lived-experience influence, the implementation of a co-produced Co-Production Framework, and increased involvement of people with lived experience in commissioning and service design. Future plans include expanding the Seven Keys of Citizenship model and developing connected caring communities to enable more locally accessible, preventative, and person-centred activities. The committee was asked to endorse the direction of travel to embed co-production consistently and support ongoing transparency regarding how lived-experience input informs council-wide decision-making.

Access to Primary Care and Delivery for Housebound Patients

The committee was to receive a paper detailing access to primary care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with a specific focus on how access is delivered for housebound patients. The report covered general practice, community pharmacy, and NHS dentistry. It noted that most quality metrics for primary care access were comparable to or better than the England average, though further improvements were acknowledged. The report outlined initiatives to improve access, including the Pharmacy First scheme for common conditions and efforts to recruit dentists and secure new NHS dental providers. For housebound patients, the report clarified that general practices are required to provide services where a GP deems it clinically necessary and inappropriate for the patient to attend the practice premises, with the decision resting with the GP.

Polruan Patient Consultation

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the consultation process initiated by Fowey River Practice regarding the future provision of services for their Polruan patients, including the possibility of closing the Polruan branch surgery. The practice cited concerns about the site's safety, access, and suitability, alongside workforce and financial sustainability issues. The report detailed the extensive consultation and engagement process undertaken by the practice, including patient letters, a public meeting, and an online survey. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) process for considering such applications was also outlined, emphasizing the need for an Equality Impact Assessment and stakeholder engagement. The committee was asked to note the process and support ongoing updates.

Public Questions

The committee was also scheduled to address public questions submitted in advance. These included inquiries regarding the council's current and future contracts with Palantir, a technology company involved in NHS data systems; a plea to champion the retention of the Polruan surgery and dispensary, highlighting its importance and the deprivation status of the area; and concerns about the use of corridor care at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) due to bed capacity issues.