The Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire was scheduled to discuss updates from NHS Humber Health Partnership, an independent evaluation of mental health services, and provision for non-emergency patient transport. The committee was also set to review its work programme and consider future agenda items.

NHS Humber Health Partnership Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from NHS Humber Health Partnership (HHP) providing an overview of the services it delivers across the Humber region and into Lincolnshire. HHP was established in August 2023, bringing together Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. The report was intended to explain the rationale behind the partnership, which aims to strengthen clinical services and build more resilient specialist teams in response to workforce shortages and rising demand. It was also set to outline the national direction for the NHS, as described in the Government's 10-Year Plan, and how this influences the evolution of health services, with a particular focus on patient flow through the health and care system and the interdependence of hospitals, community services, and social care. The report was also to detail pressures affecting hospital flow, such as delayed discharge, and their impact on emergency departments and planned care, highlighting the role of clinically led leadership within HHP.

Evaluation of Community Connectors and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

A report was scheduled to be presented summarising the independent evaluation of Lincolnshire's Community Connectors and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs. This initiative, implemented as part of a national transformation programme for adult community mental health services, aims to provide integrated, proactive support within local communities. The report was expected to detail how these hubs, led by the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, bridge the gap between individuals needing support and available health and social care services. The evaluation was conducted by the Lincolnshire Open Research and Innovation Centre and was intended to assess the effectiveness and impact of the model, including its social return on investment. The report was also to highlight challenges such as accessibility in rural areas, funding uncertainty, and volunteer recruitment, and outline future work to ensure the sustainability and continued development of these services.

Non-Emergency Patient Transport

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the provision of Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPTS) services in Lincolnshire, provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS). This report was to follow up on a previous presentation in March 2025. The current contract, which began in July 2023, replaced three previous contracts and includes a Local Incentive Scheme (LIS) rather than 'hard' Key Performance Indicators. The report was expected to detail EMAS's performance against internal Service Delivery Principles (SDPs), noting areas of improvement and deterioration. Specific challenges related to timely discharge journeys were to be discussed, with a deep dive review planned to address these issues. The report was also to outline the outcomes of the LIS, including performance on unmitigated re-beds, patient and healthcare professional satisfaction, and social value achievements. Information on complaints, compliments, and eligibility assessments for NEPTS was also to be provided.

Health Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its forthcoming work programme. This included noting confirmed items for future meetings, such as updates on the impact of emergencies on the NHS, recommendations from the Director of Public Health's annual reports, neighbourhood health updates, and arrangements for Quality Accounts. The committee was also invited to identify potential new items for inclusion or removal from the work programme, with several items listed for programming, including the Stamford Health Engagement Exercise, the Transport and Travel Review, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board clustering arrangements, stroke services at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme, and updates from North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board regarding their future plans and hospital discharge arrangements.