The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of critical health service issues affecting residents across the county. Key topics included the future of urgent and emergency care, the state of primary care estates and access, and updates on specific hospital services. The committee also considered responses to previous recommendations and planned its future work programme.

Response to HOSC Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to receive acceptances and responses to recommendations previously made regarding the Director of Public Health's Annual Report, the All-Age Autism Strategy, and Adult/Older Adult Mental Health services. The committee was recommended to note these responses.

Chair's Update

Councillor Jane Hanna OBE, Chair of the Committee, was expected to provide a verbal update on relevant issues. This update was to include reports containing recommendations on Dentistry Services in Oxfordshire and the South Central Ambulance Service CQC Improvement Journey. A letter submitted to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care concerning the proposed abolition of Healthwatch was also to be discussed, alongside a response from the Department of Health and Social Care. An update from the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding delayed payments to Adult Social Care Providers was also on the agenda.

Report of the Primary Care Access & Estates Working Group

The committee was scheduled to receive the final report from the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee's Primary Care Access & Estates Working Group. The committee was recommended to receive and endorse this report, agree to its recommendations being issued to the Thames Valley ICB, and to share the findings with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board. The formal closure of the working group was also to be noted.

Urgent Emergency Care/System Pressures

Lily O'Connor, Programme Director for Urgent & Emergency Care in Oxfordshire, was invited to present a report on urgent emergency care and system pressures. This included a general update and Oxfordshire's Urgent Emergency Care Winter Plan. The committee was invited to consider these reports and agree any recommendations.

Independent Patient Voice Update

Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire County Council, and Carole Stow, Engagement & Consultation Manager, were scheduled to present an update on the work exploring the future of Independent Patient and Resident Voice in Oxfordshire, in light of government plans to abolish the Healthwatch function. The committee was invited to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Veronica Barry, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, was invited to present the Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update Report. The committee was invited to consider this update and note any arising questions.

Horton General Hospital Update

Olivia Clymer, Director of Strategy & Partnerships at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was scheduled to present an update on the Horton General Hospital. This item was to focus on the hospital's strategic role, current services, access to care, patient flows, estate and infrastructure, quality, safety, and regulatory assurance. The committee was invited to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

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.