The Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of significant health service updates, including the annual report from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), and reviews of intensive mental health services for children and young people, adult eating disorder services, and drug and alcohol services across the Tees Valley. The committee also reviewed its own protocol and terms of reference and considered its work programme for the upcoming year.

ICB Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation on the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board's (ICB) Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26. This report provides an overview of the ICB's performance and activities during the year, covering its vision, goals, and ambitions, as well as a detailed analysis of its performance across various healthcare areas, including urgent and emergency care, primary and community care, elective care, cancer and diagnostics, and mental health services. The report also outlines the ICB's financial position, governance arrangements, and risk management strategies.

Children and Young People's Intensive Mental Health Services - Service Review

A review of Children and Young People's Intensive Mental Health Services across the North East and North Cumbria was scheduled for discussion. Representatives from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) were expected to present on current commissioning arrangements and service provision. The review aims to ensure young people receive the right help at the right time, exploring options for increased support closer to home to reduce hospital admissions where appropriate, while maintaining access to specialist inpatient care when necessary. The presentation was set to cover the current inpatient service model, including facilities at Ferndene in Prudhoe and Lotus Ward in Middlesbrough, and the engagement process with children, young people, families, and stakeholders to inform future service planning.

Transforming Adult Eating Disorders Update

The committee was due to receive an update on the transformation of Adult Eating Disorder Services across the North East and North Cumbria. Representatives from CNTW and TEWV were scheduled to present on the development of a longer-term model for these services, including feedback from a pre-engagement exercise and proposed next steps. The update was also to cover the current situation following the relocation of services from Ward 31A at the Royal Victoria Infirmary to Gibside Ward as an interim arrangement. The pre-engagement exercise involved patients, carers, staff, partners, and the voluntary sector, with findings highlighting support for earlier intervention, stronger community provision, and enhanced Intensive Day Services, while acknowledging the continued necessity of specialist inpatient care for severe and complex needs.

Drug and Alcohol Services Update

An update on drug and alcohol services across the Tees Valley was scheduled for presentation. The report was expected to provide an overview of the scale and context of substance use in the Tees Valley, including current trends and key risks. It was also to detail local treatment and recovery systems, highlighting the strengths of local approaches. A significant focus of the update was to be the impact of stigma in a substance use context, with information on the National Stigma Pilot and its preliminary findings. The pilot aims to test approaches to reducing stigma and discriminatory behaviours to improve access to services and outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee Protocol and Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to consider proposed amendments to its Protocol and Terms of Reference for the 2026/27 municipal year. These amendments followed discussions at a previous meeting and focused on two key areas: substitute attendance arrangements and the appointment of the Chair. Proposed changes to paragraph 9 of the Protocol aimed to ensure consistent substitute arrangements across all Tees Valley authorities, allowing nominated substitutes to exercise voting rights. Regarding the appointment of the Chair, a suggestion to automatically appoint the Chair of the administering authority's Health Scrutiny Committee was considered, but officers recommended maintaining the existing arrangements due to potential impacts on political proportionality and flexibility in member appointments. Minor housekeeping amendments were also proposed.

Work Programme 2026/2027

The committee was set to consider its Work Programme for 2026/27. This agenda item typically outlines the topics scheduled for future scrutiny, allowing members to plan their work and ensure comprehensive oversight of health services impacting Tees Valley residents. The provided report pack indicates that future discussions were planned on topics such as the delivery of Neonatal Care across the North East and North Cumbria Region, University Hospitals Tees NHS Draft Quality Account, and the University Hospitals Tees Case for Change and Strategy. Updates on Children's and Young People's Intensive Mental Health Services, Transforming Eating Disorders, and Drugs and Alcohol Services were also listed, alongside a follow-up on Vaping Legislation and Recruitment and Retention Planning.

Any other urgent items

This agenda item allows for the discussion of any urgent matters that the Chair deems appropriate for consideration.