The Health Scrutiny Committee met to discuss preparations for winter 2025/26, vaccination and immunisation programmes, cancer screening, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Responsive Programme. The committee noted reports on all of these topics, and agreed to a request to include consideration of provision for learning disabled citizens and mental health patients in the scope of the 'Dentistry and Oral Health' report scheduled for January 2026.

Planning for Winter 2025/26

The committee received a report outlining the plans for health and care services in Manchester and Greater Manchester to prepare for the winter period. The report detailed the approach to winter planning, which includes learning from the previous winter, aligning with urgent care transformation, and collaborating with system partners.

Key areas of focus for the winter plan include:

• Improving vaccination rates
• Increasing care in primary, community, and mental health settings
• Meeting ambulance handover time standards
• Improving patient flow through hospitals
• Setting local performance targets for patient discharge

The report also highlighted the financial support available to social care, primary care, and NHS Trusts to manage winter pressures. Councillor Basil Curley, Chair of Health Scrutiny Committee, was told that weekly updates would be provided to Councillor T. Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, to ensure effective communication with elected members and local residents.

Vaccination and Immunisation Update

The committee received an update on vaccination and immunisation programmes in Manchester, covering childhood immunisations, HPV vaccinations, sexual health vaccinations, winter vaccinations, RSV vaccinations and older adult vaccinations. The report highlighted that uptake of most vaccination programmes has fallen over the last decade, both nationally and locally, with Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination being of particular concern.

The report outlined local action to increase MMR coverage, including targeted communications to specific communities, a university student campaign, and a neighbourhood approach co-ordinated by Manchester Local Care Organisation Integrated Neighbourhood Teams.

The committee noted that since the MMR programme began in June 2024, there has been a consistent monthly increase in vaccination uptake. The report also detailed plans for winter 2025/26 vaccination programmes, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

Cancer Screening in Manchester

The committee received a report on cancer screening in Manchester, focusing on breast, bowel, and cervical cancer screening programmes. The report highlighted that Manchester has the lowest coverage of breast and cervical cancer screening in Greater Manchester, below the acceptable standard. Bowel cancer screening coverage was higher than the national achievable standard, but still the lowest in Greater Manchester.

The report provided information on actions being taken to address low coverage, including collaborative working with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Answer Cancer¹, and neighbourhood health development co-ordinators. The report also provided a description of the Greater Manchester Targeted Lung Health Check programme and how it has been implemented in Manchester.

Manchester ACEs and Trauma Responsive Programme Update

The committee received an update on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma Responsive Programme. The report outlined the programme's vision for Manchester to be a trauma responsive city, with a co-ordinated approach to reducing exposure to ACEs.

The report highlighted several initiatives, including:

• The development of a Trauma and Gambling Harms toolkit in partnership with Chapter One²
• A trauma circles project with Bollyfit Active Community Interest Company (CIC)³
• The development of a Guidance Tool and Charter for Trauma Responsive Community Hubs

The report also detailed the programme's focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, including work with Dignifi⁴ to explore racial trauma in specific communities.

Overview Report

The committee received the overview report, which included the recommendations monitor, relevant key decisions, the committee's work programme, and items for information. A member requested that the scope of the 'Dentistry and Oral Health' report scheduled for 8 January 2026 include consideration of provision for learning disabled citizens and mental health patients, which the committee agreed to.