The Public Health and Health Integration Scrutiny Commission of Leicester Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss a range of health-related topics. Scheduled discussions included updates on health protection, the annual report from Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire, and plans for addressing winter pressures. The commission also reviewed the progress of the Leicester City Neighbourhood Programme and considered its future work programme.

Health Protection Update

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to provide a verbal update on health protection activities. This would have covered recent developments and ongoing initiatives related to safeguarding public health within the city.

Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire Annual Report

The commission was set to receive and consider the Speaking up for Better Care Annual Report from Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire (HWLL). This report, presented by Harsha Kotecha, Chair of HWLL, was expected to detail the organisation's activities during the 2025-26 period. These activities included public engagement, information and signposting services, and Enter and View visits to health and social care premises. The report was also intended to outline HWLL's priorities for the upcoming year, 2026-27. HWLL operates as an independent statutory consumer champion for health and social care, funded jointly by Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. Its role is to ensure that the views and experiences of local people inform the planning, commissioning, delivery, and scrutiny of these services. The report highlighted key achievements such as engagement with over 46,000 people, 15,000 residents sharing their experiences, and 31,000 people receiving information and signposting. It also detailed the impact of HWLL's recommendations on local services, including improvements in mental health support, women's health programmes, and supported living services.

Winter Pressures Update

An update was scheduled from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding preparations for winter pressures. This update was expected to cover lessons learned from the previous winter season and the ongoing process of developing plans for the upcoming winter. Key areas of focus and progress to date were to be discussed. The ICB is responsible for delivering health outcomes across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, working to improve population health and reduce health inequalities.

Leicester Neighbourhood Approach

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the development of the Leicester City Neighbourhood Programme from the Integrated Care Board (ICB). This update was to cover progress in establishing neighbourhood footprints and engaging stakeholders in co-designing local priorities. The report also highlighted potential implications arising from Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The neighbourhood model aims to bring together various partners, including primary care, local government, and the voluntary sector, to identify local priorities and respond to community needs. The report indicated that four neighbourhood footprints had been agreed: North East, South East, North West, and South West. Extensive engagement workshops had taken place, involving 168 attendees from a range of organisations, to identify key themes such as the need for better service coordination, clear service pathways, and a focus on prevention. Emerging priorities across all neighbourhoods included improving the transition from hospital to community care, enhancing digital access to NHS services, and shifting from a sickness-based model to one focused on prevention. The report also outlined next steps, including reviewing governance arrangements and developing neighbourhood action plans, while acknowledging challenges such as securing sustainable infrastructure and data sharing.

Work Programme

Members of the commission were scheduled to consider the forward work programme for the Public Health and Health Integration Scrutiny Commission. This would have involved reviewing planned items for future meetings and potentially suggesting additional topics for inclusion. The work programme document indicated that items such as updates on vaccinations, the structure of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) area, and the LLR Child Death Overview Panel Annual Report were also scheduled for future consideration.