The Health Select Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important health and social care matters. Key topics included an update on adult social care complaints, the Integrated Community Based Care contract, and the future commissioning of specialist sexual health services. The committee was also set to review annual reports from the Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership (SVPP) and Healthwatch Wiltshire.

Adult Social Care Complaints 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to consider a report detailing adult social care complaints and appeals from the 2024-25 period. This report was intended to provide an overview of customer feedback, audit findings, and the improvement work being undertaken in response to complaints. The report highlighted that Adult Social Care typically works with nearly 10,000 people at any one time, and that complaints, while representing a small proportion of this work, are prioritised for resolution and learning. A 10% increase in complaints was noted for 2024-25, with poor communication and personalised care planning identified as key themes linked to Standard 1 and Standard 4 of the adult care practice standards, respectively. The report also detailed the work of the Quality Assurance (QA) Team in reviewing complaints and appeals, and the findings from 556 audits completed in 2024-25, which indicated strong person-centred practice but also highlighted areas for improvement in documentation, communication about waiting times and costs, and culturally sensitive care planning. The Contact and Connect automated telephony system was also discussed, showing high satisfaction levels across most questions, with 84% overall customer satisfaction.

Integrated Community Based Care Contract Update

An update was scheduled regarding the Integrated Community Based Care (ICBC) contract with HCRG Care Group Ltd, which commenced on 1 April 2025. This report was intended to provide information on the role of care navigators, how co-production has shaped the neuro-diversity pathway, and an update on the Quality Dashboard. The report detailed the growing role of care navigators within community services, who will act as a 'front facing' individual to support service users in navigating and accessing health and wellbeing services. The co-design of the BSW CYP Neurodevelopmental Pathway, involving children, young people, and their families, was highlighted, with a focus on a needs-based approach rather than solely diagnostic. The report also outlined the commissioning of an all-age Neurodevelopmental Pathway and the transfer of adult patients awaiting Autism assessments and ADHD assessments to HCRG. Quality monitoring was also to be discussed, with the expected release of HCRG's quality dashboard in November 2025, detailing metrics on complaints, infection prevention and control, and pressure injuries.

Future Commissioning of Specialist Sexual Health Service in Wiltshire - Assessment of Population Need

The committee was due to consider a report outlining engagement activities to understand the sexual health needs of the Wiltshire population, with the aim of informing the future commissioning of sexual health services. The report emphasised the statutory responsibility of Wiltshire Council to provide open access sexual and reproductive health services to everyone, regardless of residency. It noted that sexual health is about more than just preventing disease, encompassing physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, and that investment in these services can save on long-term healthcare costs. The report highlighted that while Wiltshire has a low prevalence of STIs compared to regional and national averages, there is high internal variation, with young people and those in deprived areas disproportionately affected. Engagement activities included online surveys for residents and practitioners, focus groups, and workforce training. Key themes emerging from engagement activities included access to services, availability across Wiltshire, service visibility, and training for the workforce.

Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership (SVPP) Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to review the SVPP's annual report for 2024-25. This report provides an update on progress against the partnership's five priorities: domestic abuse, exploitation, safeguarding unborn babies and under 1s, transitional safeguarding, and social, emotional and mental health. The report also includes information on case review activity, with a noted increase in referrals for Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs), following a national trend. The report detailed contributions from various partner agencies, including HealthHero, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council Public Health, Families & Children Directorate, Education & Skills Directorate, and Adult Social Care. It also outlined the impact of multi-agency training and external scrutiny from bodies such as HM Inspectorate of Probation and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The SVPP budget and partner contributions were also detailed, along with next steps and priorities for 2025-2026.

Healthwatch Wiltshire Annual Report 2024-25

The committee was due to review the annual report from Healthwatch Wiltshire for 2024-25. This report details the organisation's work in listening to and amplifying community voices to improve local health and care services. The report highlighted that Healthwatch Wiltshire supported over 37,496 people, with 128 sharing their experiences of health and social care services. Key areas of focus included the health needs and experiences of military families in Wiltshire, and understanding views on childhood vaccinations, with specific attention paid to underserved groups such as the Traveller community and resettled families. The report also detailed collaborative work with neighbouring Healthwatch organisations across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care System (ICS) area, focusing on issues such as eating disorders and digital healthcare. The report included information on finance and future priorities, with a focus on communication between staff and patients, quality of care, and provision of support.

Cabinet Member Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive brief verbal updates from attending Cabinet Members or Portfolio Holders, highlighting recent news, successes, or milestones in their respective areas that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Task Group Updates

A verbal update was expected regarding a rapid scrutiny exercise into Urgent Care Reporting, which was scheduled to take place on 4 November 2025.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was to review and approve its forward work programme in light of the decisions made during the meeting. The forward work programme included a rapid scrutiny exercise into Urgent Care Reporting, scheduled to begin on 4 November 2025 and conclude by 14 January 2026. Future agenda items for January 2026 included the Wiltshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2025, Urgent Care Reporting, the Older Person's Accommodation Strategy, and the Carers Together Wiltshire Annual Report 2024-25.