The Fair Opportunities for All: Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee met on 15 September 2025, and members reviewed the General Practice transformation, the Health Protection Board annual report, and the Building Blocks of Health report. The committee endorsed the work and strategic approach of the Health Protection Board and the approach and next steps outlined in the Building Blocks of Health report. They also thanked the Interim Place-Based Lead for his report on General Practice transformation and endorsed the future work and key priorities in relation to it.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

General Practice Transformation

The committee received an update on the transformation of general practice in Wigan, which has been shaped by national priorities and local ambitions. Jonathan Kerry, Interim Deputy Place Lead, presented the report and highlighted key developments, including:

• The expansion of multidisciplinary teams through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).
• Improved digital infrastructure, such as cloud-based telephony.
• A renewed focus on personalised, anticipatory care.
• Primary Care Networks (PCNs) aligning more closely with community services and participating in neighbourhood-level delivery to better reflect local need.

The committee discussed the impact of the enhanced access hub, processes for feedback and complaints, and segregation in Accident and Emergency units. While the enhanced access hubs had avoided some A&E attendances, the anticipated drop in attendances had not fully materialised. Feedback is being collected through various channels, including telephone, online platforms, and patient participation groups. Work has also been undertaken to streamline patient flow at A&E departments.

The committee endorsed future work and key priorities in relation to General Practice transformation and thanked the Interim Place-Based Lead for his report.

Health Protection Board Annual Report

The committee considered the Health Protection Board's annual report, which summarised the previous year's work and set out priorities and objectives for the next 12 months. Annie Lowe, Consultant in Public Health, presented the report. Discussions covered infection control training for staff and a drop in immunisation rates.

The Infection Control Team has maintained regular engagement with care homes, offering training and conducting routine audits to identify challenges. Targeted work has been undertaken to analyse areas with lower vaccine uptake, with efforts focused on understanding the reasons behind a decline in subsequent doses after initial high uptake.

The committee supported the strategic approach of the Health Protection Board for 2025/26 and thanked the Consultant in Public Health for her report.

Building Blocks of Health - Work and Health

The committee reviewed a report outlining the place-based approach to the building blocks of health, focusing on supporting local people in employment to address health inequalities and inequity and build a strong foundation of support for health and wellbeing in neighbourhoods. Laura Wharton, Assistant Director – Public Health, presented the report.

The committee queried the offers of support for officers and elected members. The Assistant Director informed the committee that the council has implemented an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) focused on supporting staff wellbeing, including mental health, emotional resilience, and overall wellness. Elected Members have been able to access a range of support schemes offered by the council, including counselling and physiotherapy services.

The committee endorsed the approach and next steps outlined within the report and thanked the officer for her report.

Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee (GMJHSC)

The committee noted the minutes of the GMJHSC meetings held on 15 April 2025, 17 June 2025 and 15 July 2025.

Key discussion points from the GMJHSC meetings included:

• NHS Greater Manchester Update: The GMJHSC received an update on delivery in 2025-26 in the context of NHS reforms, including a 39% reduction in running costs for NHS Greater Manchester¹. The committee requested details on how further integration between the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and local authorities was being achieved, including steps to ensure preventative health measures among Greater Manchester's population.
• Reconfiguration Progress Report and Forward Look: The GMJHSC considered a report setting out reconfigurations currently planned or undertaking engagement and/or consultation, including Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Children and Young People's ADHD, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Cycles, Specialist Weight Management, Major Trauma, Procedures of Limited Clinical Value, and Diabetes.
• Greater Manchester Paediatric Audiology Services: The GMJHSC considered a report describing the current challenges within paediatric audiology services and how Greater Manchester was responding to these challenges, including mitigations and a commissioning review.
• Greater Manchester Structured Diabetes Education Engagement: The GMJHSC received an update on the plans for structured diabetes education (SDE) services across Greater Manchester and public involvement.
• GMJHSC Annual Report: The GMJHSC reviewed its annual report, which provided an overview of the activities and achievements of the committee for the 2024-25 municipal year.

Health and Wellbeing Board Minutes

The committee noted the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 25 June 2025. Key discussion points included:

• Refreshed Terms of Reference 2025/26: The board endorsed the updated terms of reference, including a suggestion that the annual report of the Wigan Adult Safeguarding Partnership should report into the Health and Wellbeing Board.
• Delivery Plan Year 2: The board supported the agreed 2025/26 Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy delivery plan and development session programme.
• Better Care Fund 2024/25 Out-turn and 2025/26 Plan: The board endorsed the approval of the 2025/26 Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan.
• Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board - Locality Plan Progress Report 2024-25: The board noted the contents of the report.
• Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Outline: The board approved the delegation of authority to the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Director - Public Health, and the Deputy Place Lead (ICB) to sign off the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment outside of a formal board meeting, to ensure publication within the legislated timescales.