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Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 20 May 2026 - 10.00 am
May 20, 2026 at 10:00 am Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for 20 May 2026 was set to cover a wide range of critical health and social care topics for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Key discussions were expected to focus on the operational performance of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), the progress of its five-year commissioning plan, and updates on the clustering arrangements with Devon ICB. The committee was also scheduled to review adult social care performance data, explore the Neighbourhood Health & Wellbeing approach, and examine findings from Healthwatch Cornwall regarding GP access. Additionally, the agenda included a discussion on orthodontic provision following the closure of a local practice.
Committee Work Programme 2026-2027
The committee was scheduled to review its draft Work Programme for 2026-2027. This programme is designed to identify, prioritise, and conduct scrutiny work, ensuring effective use of resources. The process is intended to be member-led, allowing for suggestions from the public and officers. The Work Programme focuses on items that are likely to lead to effective, measurable outcomes, avoiding reports that merely seek endorsement. The draft programme includes a range of topics such as clustering arrangements for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (CIoS ICB), performance reports from the ICB and Adult Social Care, and updates on Integrated Neighbourhood Teams.
Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their Updates
Members of the committee were scheduled to have the opportunity to ask questions to Cabinet Members regarding their updates. This agenda item allows for direct engagement with those responsible for executive decisions on key areas within the council's portfolio. The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, Councillor Thalia Marrington, was expected to provide updates on areas such as access to services, neighbourhood health, and mental health and social isolation. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Partnerships, Councillor Jim Mckenna, was anticipated to discuss updates relevant to the committee's work programme, including the upcoming publication of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report for Adult Social Care and the review of the Directorate's Transformation Programme.
Integrated Care Board Cluster Update, including 5 Year Commissioning Plan
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to understanding the operational progress of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, particularly in relation to its clustering arrangements with Devon ICB ahead of an anticipated merger in April 2027. The report was expected to detail the appointment of a single leadership team and the work underway to establish a unified workforce, aiming to reduce running costs and redistribute resources into direct patient care. Furthermore, the committee was to receive an overview of the ICB's five-year commissioning plan (2026/27 to 2030/31), which outlines how health and care services will be reshaped to address rising demand, health inequalities, workforce pressures, and financial constraints, with a central ambition to provide more local, joined-up, and proactive care.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Performance Report
The committee was scheduled to review the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Performance Report, which summarises the ICB's operational priorities and performance against constitutional standards for 2025/26. The report was expected to highlight key issues and actions being taken, particularly concerning 4-hour and 12-hour performance in Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC), ambulance response times, Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting lists, diagnostic waiting times, and cancer waiting times. It was also to provide an update on mental health services, GP appointments, and the financial position of the ICB.
Adult Social Care Performance 2025/26, Adult Social Care Outcome Framework (ASCOF)
This agenda item focused on the performance of Adult Social Care services against the Adult Social Care Outcome Framework (ASCOF). ASCOF is a national data set used to measure how effectively care and support services achieve outcomes that matter to individuals. The report was expected to provide an update on performance related to quality of life, independence, empowerment, safety, social connections, and the continuity and quality of care. The committee was to scrutinise these measures, including trends, performance against targets, and the challenges and mitigating actions being implemented.
Neighbourhood Health & Wellbeing: The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIOS) Approach
The committee was set to receive a briefing on the CIOS approach to implementing Neighbourhood Health & Wellbeing. This national policy framework aims to reorient health and care delivery into communities, shifting resources and decision-making towards local settings. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been designated as a Wave 1 implementation site. The report was expected to outline the strategic rationale for this model, its alignment with Cornwall Council's priorities, and the delivery model, including the establishment of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) and the Neighbourhood Health Enabling Fund. Early evidence of impact was also anticipated to be presented.
Healthwatch Cornwall - GP Access: An in-depth look at experience and insights
This agenda item was to present the findings of a Healthwatch Cornwall report on GP access, based on engagement with over 3,800 residents and professionals. The report was expected to highlight significant and persistent challenges in accessing general practice, particularly for rural communities, digitally excluded patients, and those with long-term conditions. Key issues identified included difficulties in booking appointments, long waiting times, digital exclusion, lack of continuity of care, and confusion about GP practice roles. The report was also to present case studies illustrating the consequences of delayed access and make recommendations for improvement. The committee was to receive an update on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board's response to this report.
Orthodontic Provision following the closure of River Practice provider - To follow
A supplementary agenda item was to address the orthodontic provision following the closure of River Practice. The report was expected to detail the circumstances surrounding the termination of the contract with River Practice Ltd, an NHS orthodontic provider, due to identified failures in service delivery, patient safety, clinical oversight, and governance. The committee was to be informed about the immediate mitigations put in place to ensure continuity of care for affected patients, including the establishment of an urgent orthodontic care pathway, engagement with existing providers to secure additional capacity, and a coordinated communications approach. The report was also to mention notifications to the Professional Standards Team for referral to the General Dental Council (GDC) and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 March 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 11 March 2026. They resolved to continue oversight of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board's clustering arrangements and welcomed transparency on merger and cluster aspects. The committee also recognised progress by the Health Determinants Research Collaborative and endorsed embedding personalisation and co-production across council services.
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Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their updates
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council noted recommendations on 20/05/2026. The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health approved the procurement of Community Drug and Alcohol Services for adults and young people via a competitive process. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships will make individual decisions on extra care site disposals and Shared Lives provider recommissioning on 8 July 2026.
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Committee Work Programme 2026-2027
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved its Committee Work Programme for 2026-2027 on 20 May 2026. The committee also agreed that amendments to the programme between mid-year reviews would be determined by the Chair in consultation with the Vice-Chair, Senior Responsible Officer, and Democratic Services Lead.
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Orthodontic Provision following the closure of River Practice provider - To follow
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20/05/2026. The committee noted the circumstances of a contract termination notice and the mitigations put in place. Mitigations include establishing an urgent orthodontic care pathway, engaging existing providers for capacity, implementing a communications plan, and securing access to clinical records.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20/05/2026.
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Election of Chairman
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council decided that Cllr Chopack was elected Chairman. This decision was made on 20 May 2026.
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Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers to be of Urgency
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20/05/2026.
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Election of Vice Chairman
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council decided on 20/05/2026 to approve recommendations. Cllr Creek was elected Vice Chairman.
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Healthwatch Cornwall - GP Access: An in-depth look at experience and insights
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee acknowledged the Healthwatch Report GP Access: An in-depth look at experience and insights and resolved to follow up on its recommendations. The committee will explore the issues raised and how they have been actioned by the system.
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Public Questions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20/05/2026.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20 May 2026. The committee supported the continuation of plans to update sexual and reproductive health services. They also welcomed an update on research in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the Commercial Research Delivery Centre. The committee received the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-2025 and commended the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board and Team. They also noted the successful recruitment for the Peninsula Soft Tissue Sarcoma Services.
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Neighbourhood Health & Wellbeing The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIOS) Approach
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 20 May 2026. The committee noted the national policy framework for neighbourhood health, the rationale for the Neighbourhood Health & Wellbeing model, and took assurance on governance arrangements. A further update report will be provided to the committee prior to the Integrated Neighbourhood Plan submission.
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Integrated Care Board Cluster update, including 5 year commissioning plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee decided on 20/05/2026 to note the establishment of a single leadership team for the Cornwall, Devon and ICBs and support the key elements of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 5-year commissioning plan. The committee will advise which elements of the plan they wish to scrutinise as plans develop.
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Adult Social Care Performance 202526, Adult Social Care Outcome Framework (ASCOF)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved recommendations on 20/05/2026. The committee will scrutinise Adult Social Care's ASCOF performance, including trends and performance against locally agreed targets. Information was provided on co-production meetings, and members were invited to consider lived experience and case studies of young adults supported in employment and supported living accommodation.
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Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Performance Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council decided to acknowledge and discuss performance issues, note the financial position and forecast, and note the assurance statement. The committee will convene a task and finish group to consider discharge to assess and flow issues, with the scope and membership delegated to the Chair. Actions include including Better Care Fund statutory information in future ASC performance reports, providing a briefing note on Reablement Services, investigating recurrent NHS messages about waiting lists, and considering visits to care homes.
Attendees
No attendees have been recorded for this meeting.
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