The Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (AWHOSC) met on 21 July 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including an update from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, the Adult Social Care Service, and the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme for the upcoming year and to note responses made to NHS Foundation Trust Quality Accounts.

Here's a summary of the key items that were scheduled to be discussed:

• North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (NENC ICB) Update Neil Jarvis, Deputy Director of Local Delivery and Head of Integrated Commissioning for Durham County Council and NENC ICB, was scheduled to provide an update on the Integrated Care System[^1] (ICS) in the region. The presentation was to cover the differences between an Integrated Care System, an Integrated Care Board[^2] (ICB) and an Integrated Care Partnership[^3] (ICP), as well as an overview of the ICB budget. It also included information on ICB changes from 2025 onwards, including a national mandate for all ICBs and potential impacts on staff. The presentation outlined examples of areas where ICB functions may grow, adapt or transfer, and discussed delivering cost reductions.

  [^1]: Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are partnerships between health and care organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up services to improve the health of people in their area. [^2]: Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are statutory NHS bodies responsible for the planning and allocation of resources to deliver healthcare services within an ICS. [^3]: Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) are committees comprised of the ICB and local authorities within the ICS, responsible for developing an integrated care strategy.

  The report pack noted that NHS England is setting a broadened spend cap for all ICBs, covering running costs plus programme staff spend, of £18.76 per head of population, and that the NENC has proportionately one of the smallest reduction targets of the 42 ICBs, because its current costs are lower than most.

  The presentation also noted that, assuming no further recruitment, the ICB would need to further reduce wholetime equivalent staff in post by at least 220 and up to 270 if there was a need to fill some critical service posts, and that a new operating model may mean changing roles for many more staff.

• Adult Social Care Update Michael Laing, Interim Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, and Councillor Howard Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, were scheduled to present a high-level overview of the adult social care function and an update on progress with the Service Improvement Plan (SIP) following an external assessment by the Care Quality Commission[^4] (CQC) in 2024. The presentation was to include an introduction to the Adult Care Service, local context and activity data, a summary of adult care legal duties including duties within the Care Act 2014[^5], an overview of the CQC local authority assessment framework, key priorities and progress on the SIP, and progress on developing a new Adult Social Care Strategy.

  [^4]: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. [^5]: The Care Act 2014 sets out how people should be assessed for care and support, and what type of support they should receive.

  The report pack noted that following the CQC's external assessment in 2024, the council was rated as 'Good' overall, though some areas required improvement. The SIP was subsequently strengthened to reflect the CQC's findings.

  The presentation was also scheduled to cover the management structure of the Adult Care Service, its key functions, and its vision to ensure adults and their carers receive the care and support they need to live the lives they want.

• Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) CQC Inspection Report and Improvement Plan Update Representatives from the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust were scheduled to present an update on the Trust's CQC Improvement Plan following the CQC Inspection Report published in October 2023. The presentation was also to cover the CQC report for AMH Crisis, Acute Liaison and Health Based Places of Safety.

  The presentation was scheduled to note that, as of 18 February 2025, 181 improvement actions were complete, 9 actions were in progress (within target), and 1 recommendation was in progress (behind target).

  The presentation was also scheduled to note that the CQC Inspection Report was published 6 February 2025 with a rating of Good being achieved.

• Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-28 Claire Jones, Public Health Pharmacy Adviser, and Geraint Morris, from Community Pharmacy Durham and Sunderland, were scheduled to present on the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-28 and the public consultation process. The presentation was to cover what a PNA is, the availability of NHS pharmaceutical services, what NHS pharmaceutical services are, and the scope of the PNA.

  The report pack noted that the HWB is responsible for the production of a PNA every 3 years, and that the next PNA is due for publication by the HWB on 1 October 2025.

  The report pack stated that the key conclusion of the draft PNA 2025-28 is that there are sufficient pharmaceutical services across County Durham.

• Quarter Four, 2024/25 Performance Management Report John Hewitt, Chief Executive, was scheduled to present the Quarter Four, 2024/25 Performance Management Report, providing the most recent performance data available on 31 March 2025, alongside contextual information of activity and events taking place in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year (January to March).

  The report pack noted that the report was intended to meet a range of monitoring requirements for various audiences, and that the council's performance framework uses the Council Plan to provide the structure and identify the key measures reported against.

  The report pack stated that the report would highlight strong performance across key outcomes, and frame the council's performance within the wider national context.

• NHS Foundation Trust Quality Accounts 2024/25 Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, was scheduled to present a report to inform members of the responses made on behalf of the Committee in respect of NHS Foundation Trust Draft Quality Accounts 2024/25.

  The report pack noted that the Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee have previously agreed responses to the draft Quality Accounts of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

• Refresh of the Work Programme 2025/26 Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, was scheduled to present a report to provide the AWHOSC with an updated draft work programme for 2025/26.

  The report pack noted that the AWHOSC reviews its work programme each year to reflect the objectives and associated outcomes and actions identified within the Council Plan 2025-2029 and in the context of the County Durham Vision 2035. The proposed AWHOSC work programme has been framed around the shared County Durham Vision 2035 based on the three strategic ambitions of 'more and better jobs', 'long and independent lives' and 'connected communities'.