The Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Durham County Council met on Monday 16 March 2026 to discuss a range of important health and social care matters. Key topics included the findings of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection into Lanchester Medical Centre, an update on the transformation of Durham's mental health rehabilitation services, and a review of the Adult Social Care Strategy.

Lanchester Medical Centre CQC Inspection Report

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the results of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Lanchester Medical Centre. The report, presented by Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, and a briefing paper from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), detailed an inadequate rating for the practice. The inspection, which took place on 31 July 2025, identified significant concerns across various areas of service delivery.

The CQC's findings highlighted breaches of regulations concerning safe care and treatment, receiving and acting on complaints, and good governance. Specific issues raised included:

• Safety: Inadequate management of medicines and long-term conditions, a lack of systems for patient safety alerts and Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alerts, and poor handling of test results and hospital letters. Safeguarding processes were also deemed insufficient.
• Effectiveness: Significant risks were identified in the management of long-term conditions, with a lack of adherence to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Patients were not always adequately supported in managing their health, and consent processes were not consistently followed.
• Caring: Feedback from patients was mixed, with some positive comments regarding staff interactions, but also concerns raised by the Patient Participation Group (PPG) about the practice's management and clinical competence.
• Responsiveness: Services were not always planned or delivered in a way that met patient needs, with shortfalls in understanding patient needs and poor communication. Patients sometimes experienced difficulties accessing care and treatment when needed.
• Leadership and Governance: Leadership and governance structures were found to be ineffective, with a lack of clear arrangements and performance monitoring. Staff reported feeling unsupported, and there was limited evidence of quality improvement.

The report noted that the practice was placed in special measures, with the CQC taking enforcement action and imposing conditions on the provider. The ICB briefing paper, available as Agenda Item 6 - Appendix 2 - Lanchester Medical Centre - Briefing OSC March 2026, outlined the sanctions imposed on Dr Harpreet Singh Kalra, the contract holder, and the subsequent appointment of South Durham CIC GP Federation as a sub-contractor to manage the practice and address the CQC's concerns. The committee was asked to receive the report and consider the proposed Improvement Action Plan for the practice.

Durham Mental Health Rehabilitation Services Transformation

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the transformation of Durham's mental health rehabilitation services, presented by Jamie Todd, Director of Operations and Transformation, and Shaun Mayo, General Manager for Adult Mental Health at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. This update, detailed in Agenda Item 7 - Durham Rehabilitation Services - Adult Mental Health - Overview and Scrutiny_FINAL.pdf, focused on a proposal to enhance community-based rehabilitation services and strengthen multidisciplinary team (MDT) capacity, while reducing the inpatient bed base.

The proposed model involves a reduction in Level 1 rehabilitation beds from 35 to 20, consolidating them at Lustrum Vale in Stockton, and leading to the closure of the Primrose Lodge rehabilitation unit in Durham. Financial savings generated from this change are intended to be reinvested into strengthening community rehabilitation services and enhancing MDT staffing across remaining inpatient units. The rationale behind this proposal includes alignment with national guidance to shift care from inpatient to community settings, addressing environmental and safety concerns at Primrose Lodge, and aligning with current demand modelling. The benefits outlined include better quality of care through increased staffing across various professions, safer and more modern facilities, and financial sustainability. The report also detailed the engagement process undertaken with patients, staff, and the community, as well as an investment proposal to enhance service provision.

Adult Social Care Update

An update on Adult Social Care was scheduled, presented by Michael Laing, Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services. This update, available in Agenda Item 9 - Adult Social Care Update Report AWH Overview and Scrutiny Committee March 2026.pdf and Microsoft PowerPoint - Agenda Item 9 - Appendix 2 Adult Social Care Update AWH Overview and Scrutiny.pdf, focused on the development of an Adult Social Care Strategy for 2025-2028 and the associated Service Improvement Plan (SIP).

The strategy, approved by Cabinet in January 2026, is focused on the needs of people who use adult social care services, ensuring equity of experience and including preventative activity. It is structured around three priority themes: prevention, involvement, and equity of experience and outcomes. The SIP will serve as the delivery plan for the strategy and has been refreshed to reflect current priorities and best practice. The report highlighted that the Council had been rated 'Good' overall by the CQC in its discharge of adult social care duties in August 2024, but areas for improvement were identified, leading to the strengthening of the SIP. The committee was asked to note the contents of the report and presentation, acknowledge the strategy, and note that the SIP would be monitored through established governance arrangements.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Breast Services Review Update

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the review of breast services at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This update, presented by representatives from the Trust, would cover the progress of patient reviews, the number of calls and emails received by the helpline, and the changes implemented to modernise the breast service. The report indicated that a complete review and redesign of the breast service had begun following a Royal College of Surgeons report in March 2025. Changes included the appointment of new specialist surgeons, a move to a guideline-driven model of care, modernisation of one-stop breast assessment clinics, and an upgrade of breast imaging technology. The update was expected to detail measurable differences already being observed, such as a fall in the number of women needing a mastectomy to the national average and an increase in immediate breast reconstruction rates. The report also acknowledged that further work was needed, with some patients still waiting longer than they should for their first appointment.

The meeting's agenda also included items such as apologies for absence, substitute members, minutes of the previous meeting, and declarations of interest.