The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several key issues, including social prescribing, the Right Care Right Person scheme, winter preparedness, pharmacy provision, and the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. The committee agreed to invite the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to a future meeting to discuss pharmacy queries. They also requested a report on the impact of climate change on health, that council officers approach NHS colleagues about holding a climate forum, and a report on winter preparedness.

Pharmacy Provision and Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

The committee received updates on pharmacy provision in Newcastle, including a presentation on pharmacy provision, and a report on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028.

The presentation on pharmacy provision, given by Kenneth Youngman, Strategic Head of Pharmacy and Optometry Contracting, and Linda Bosher, Primary Care Manager, addressed concerns about pharmacy applications being declined and the lack of weekend opening pharmacies. It noted that since the 2022 PNA, seven pharmacies had closed in Newcastle:

• St Stevens Pharmacy
• Lloyds Pharmacy in High Heaton
• Boots UK Limited in Jesmond
• Boots UK Limited in Byker
• Boots UK Limited in Cruddas Park Shopping Centre
• Boots UK Limited in Kenton
• Boots UK Limited on Chillingham Road

The presentation explained that the closure of a pharmacy does not automatically create a service gap if other pharmacies can provide similar services. It also stated that supplementary statements to the PNA only update facts and do not assess the impact on pharmaceutical service needs.

The presentation noted that there is a need for pharmacies in the northern part of Heaton ward, the southern part of Manor Park ward, Kenton ward and Cruddas Park within Elswick ward. It also noted that grants are in place for pharmacies to open in Kenton and on Chillingham Road.

The report on the PNA 2025-2028, presented by Lewis McColl, Public Health Analyst, provided an update on the assessment, ahead of its publication. The assessment concluded that there were gaps in service provision in Heaton, Cruddas Park and Kenton. New pharmacy applications in Heaton and Kenton have been approved, and a decision on a pharmacy for Cruddas Park is pending.

The committee agreed to invite the ICB to a future meeting to discuss their response to the Committee's pharmacy queries.

Flu Vaccine Programme / Winter Preparedness

The committee received a report providing an overview of winter planning in Newcastle, covering the vaccination programme and priority areas linked to the Urgent Emergency Care Plan 2025/26. Lynne Paterson, Strategic Head of Primary Care, ICB, presented the report, which outlined key priorities set by Dr Neil O'Brien, Chief Medical Officer, North East and North Cumbria ICB.

The priorities include:

• Enhancing the respiratory pathway
• Maximising prevention and home facing offer
• Improving in-hospital flow and discharge

The report assured the committee of the processes in place in Newcastle and the governance routes surrounding these plans via the Winter Planning and Assurance Delivery Group and the Urgent and Emergency Care Network Board. The Newcastle plans will be assessed against the learning and recommendations from an NSHE North East and Yorkshire Stress Test Event.

The committee requested a report about winter preparedness, the flu vaccine programme and the action taken to remove barriers to take up.

Right Care Right Person Update

The committee received an update on the Right Care Right Person (RCRP) programme, presented by ACC Baron of Northumbria Police, Angela Kumar of the ICB, and Tracey Riches of Northumbria Police. RCRP is a National Partnership Agreement between the police, health services and social care, designed to ensure that people in mental health crisis are responded to by the most appropriate agency.

The update covered implementation phases, progress in Newcastle and the wider North East and North Cumbria (NENC) region, and key updates. Good practice examples included multi-agency engagement, effective escalation processes, and responding to suicide training. Risks identified included training needs, workforce pressures, and transport issues.

The committee requested that information/learning from the ICB evaluation be brought back to the committee.

Social Prescribing in Newcastle General Practice

The committee received a presentation on social prescribing in Newcastle General Practice from Rebecca Haynes, CEO of Newcastle GP Services. Social prescribing connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet practical, social, and emotional needs affecting their health and wellbeing.

The presentation outlined the approach, its integration with general practices, and its impact. Key themes identified through social prescribing referrals included housing, benefits, addiction, employment and isolation. Patient testimonials highlighted the positive impact of social prescribing link workers.

ICB Update and 10 Year Health Plan for England

The committee received an ICB update and a report on the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

The ICB update covered core functions, cost reduction plans, and potential impacts on staff. The 10 Year Health Plan report provided an overview of the government's approach to reforming the NHS, focusing on shifts from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

The committee requested that council officers approach NHS colleagues about holding their own Climate Forum to consider the health and climate change relationship.

Other items

The committee also considered the action list and work programme.