The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss the Director of Public Health's annual report on healthy weight in childhood and receive an update on primary care access, pharmacy services, and social prescribing. Key decisions included a request for the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to write to all GP surgeries regarding patient confidentiality and to establish a mechanism for auditing patient admissions following GP consultations. The committee also requested further information on thresholds for Section 106 monies related to new housing developments and details on social prescribing.

Healthy Weight in Childhood

The committee considered the draft Director of Public Health annual report for 2025, focusing on the significant issue of healthy weight in childhood. Dr Richard Harling, Cabinet Member for Health and Care Martin Rogerson, and commissioning leads Rochelle and Tony Bullock presented the report. The scale of the problem was highlighted, with estimates suggesting around 6,000 younger children (aged 5-11) are overweight and 5,000 are obese in Staffordshire. For older children (11-18), these figures rise to approximately 11,000 overweight and 17,000 obese. The report noted a correlation between deprivation and higher rates of overweight and obesity.

The profound health impacts of excess weight were discussed, including increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and certain cancers, as well as effects on mobility and mental health. The economic cost to society was estimated at around £100 billion annually, with significant portions falling on the NHS and wider society through benefits and lost productivity.

The report emphasised that overweight and obesity are not solely due to individual choices but are shaped by the environment, with readily available and promoted high-calorie fast food and reduced opportunities for physical activity contributing to the rise. The Better Health Staffordshire programme was presented as the council's long-term preventative initiative to tackle the causes of excess weight, physical inactivity, and poor diet. This programme aims to create conditions for change through partnerships, data-driven insights, developing healthy settings and environments, and providing access to information and guidance.

Councillors raised several points, including the need for more localized data for East Staffordshire, the pressures on families due to time and economic constraints, and the importance of education. Councillor Neil Parton questioned the exclusion of individuals with illnesses and medications that cause weight gain from the report's figures, while Councillor Matthew Wallens inquired about comparisons with neighbouring authorities. Councillor Ann Edgeller highlighted the challenge of planning inspectors approving fast-food takeaways near schools, despite local council rejections. Councillor Colin Greatorex asked about beacon projects and the potential for amplifying successful initiatives, such as pre-diabetic classes. Councillor Catherine Brown suggested exploring educational opportunities on farms for children to learn about food and food growing, while Councillor Jill Hood raised concerns about screen time's impact on young people's inactivity and obesity. Councillor Steven Norman provided historical context on national policies related to food and obesity, questioning what specific local actions can be taken. Councillor Aaron Mansfield inquired about promoting walking buses and the challenges of parental involvement. Councillor Helen Adams raised concerns about ultra-processed foods and their affordability compared to fruit and vegetables.

The committee received a request to receive the action plan associated with the Better Health Staffordshire scheme. The presenters agreed to reflect on the points raised regarding underlying medical conditions and to share action plans for each district and borough.

Primary Care Access, Pharmacy, and Social Prescribing Update

Sarah Jeffrey, Director of Primary Care for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), along with Dr Mark Stone and Vicky Oxford, provided an update on general practice access, pharmacy services, and social prescribing. They highlighted the significant role of general practice as the first point of contact for patients, accounting for approximately 80% of NHS contact.

The presentation outlined the current position, key challenges, and pressures faced by GP practices, as well as the actions being taken through a local improvement plan. It was noted that 100% of practices now offer flexible contact and response options, including digital triage and online consultation tools. A contract change in October 2025 introduced the You and Your GP patient charter, outlining patient expectations. The workforce has also seen a shift with the introduction of new roles such as physiotherapists, pharmacists, and mental health workers within general practice.

The National GP Patient Survey figures for 2025 showed improvements in key indicators, with Staffordshire hovering above national and West Midlands rates for telephone access and overall patient experience. However, significant variation across GP practices was acknowledged, with targeted support being provided to practices where patient feedback indicates ongoing issues.

An increase in GP appointments was reported, with 3.4 million appointments delivered in Staffordshire up to November, a 2.3% increase compared to the previous year. The focus is now on using appointments more effectively, considering the challenges of GP recruitment and retention, and the risk of over-medicalisation. Winter hubs have been commissioned in general practice to provide same-day or next-day urgent appointments for acutely unwell patients, delivering an estimated 46,000 additional appointments during the winter period.

The Pharmacy First scheme, launched in January 2024, allows community pharmacists to treat seven common conditions, including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs in women. This scheme has saved an estimated 96,000 hours of GP time across the West Midlands. Additional consultations for oral contraceptives and blood pressure checks are also available. The scheme has shown significant impact, with 301,000 blood pressure checks conducted in six months, identifying high blood pressure in 4% of patients.

The Pathfinder pilot programme, which concluded in December 2024, evaluated how community pharmacists, qualified as independent prescribers, could deliver NHS-commissioned clinical services. Five sites across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent tested models for hypertension, lipid management, anticoagulation, minor illnesses, antidepressants, and prescription management, resulting in over 9,000 consultations and releasing approximately 1,500 clinical hours.

Social prescribing link workers, employed through Primary Care Networks (PCNs), connect people to community support for practical, social, or emotional needs. Staffordshire PCNs employ nearly 40 whole-time equivalent social prescribing link workers, often in partnership with organisations like Support Staffordshire. National evidence suggests social prescribing can reduce A&E attendances and GP appointments.

During the discussion, councillors raised concerns about the lack of detailed local data, the variation in GP access, the complexity of accessing services for patients, and the need for better communication. Councillor Steven Norman asked about the two main barriers to further success, to which health literacy and communication were cited. Councillor Neil Parton inquired about a list of pharmacies offering blood pressure monitoring and the availability of mental health support. Councillor Matthew Wallens questioned the rollout of online consultations and the pressure on developers to provide GP facilities. Councillor Jill Hood raised significant concerns about patient confidentiality breaches in GP surgeries and pharmacies, prescription issues, and the lack of awareness of social prescribing. Councillor Colin Greatorex reiterated the need for better-presented information and more detailed data. Councillor Catherine Brown expressed concerns about the lack of detail in the reports, the need for local data, and the impact of people not accessing digital services. Councillor Ann Edgeller suggested the ICB write to all GP surgeries regarding confidentiality and questioned the planning process for new housing developments and their impact on GP services.

The committee made several recommendations:

• The ICB to write to all GP surgeries highlighting the need for privacy and GDPR compliance in patient conversations with reception staff.
• The ICB to consider establishing a mechanism with acute hospitals and general practices to audit patient admissions following GP consultations for learning and root cause analysis.
• To receive information on thresholds for Section 106 monies related to new builds and general practice requirements.
• To receive more information about social prescribers, their roles, and locations.

The committee also noted the Health and Care Work Programme 2025-26 and discussed potential future scrutiny items, including adult social care and the health aspects of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The upcoming meeting on 23 February will focus on efficiency savings at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and waiting times for emergency departments, cardiology, stroke services, and neurology, as well as discharge for the elderly. Healthwatch reported on their ongoing survey regarding the Pharmacy First scheme and their work with Patient Participation Groups (PPGs).