The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the development of an All-Age Autism Strategy for Oxfordshire and receive an update on adult and older adult mental health services. The meeting agenda also included discussions on the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan and health visitor services.

Chair's Update

The Chair was scheduled to provide a verbal update on relevant issues. A key focus of this update was a request for information from the Integrated Care Board regarding the timeliness and oversight of Learning from Lives and Deaths (LeDeR) reviews for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The committee was to receive an update on current performance against NHS England LeDeR Key Performance Indicators, the backlog position, governance and accountability structures for LeDeR, and the capacity and resilience of the LeDeR function. Additionally, the update was expected to cover proposals for the dissolution of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (BOB JHOSC) and the establishment of a new Thames Valley JHOSC, following the creation of a new Thames Valley Integrated Care Board. The committee was also to be informed about a letter sent to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust concerning maternity services, including a request for clarification on errors in submitted data, and a report containing recommendations on maternity services submitted to Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The agenda also noted a vacant co-optee post on the committee, with a recruitment exercise planned to fill it by the next meeting.

Update on the Development of the All-Age Autism Strategy

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Care for Oxfordshire County Council, was scheduled to present a report on the ongoing development of an All-Age Autism Strategy for Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider this report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The draft strategy, developed through extensive public consultation and co-production with autistic individuals, families, professionals, and experts by experience, aims to address issues such as long waits for diagnosis, fragmented services, limited awareness, and barriers to education, employment, and community life. Key commitments include reducing diagnostic waits, expanding employment pathways, strengthening education and SEND practices, ensuring reasonable adjustments, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, and improving housing and transitions. The strategy's development has been overseen by a countywide Autism Improvement Board, co-chaired by the Head of Joint Commissioning – Live Well and an Expert-by-Experience. The final draft strategy and its implementation plan were scheduled to be presented to the Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board for approval in July 2026. The strategy is grounded in neuro-affirmative, rights-based, and strength-focused principles, emphasizing co-production, trauma-aware practice, and respectful language. It identifies six priority areas: community awareness, supporting autistic children and young people in education and transitions to adulthood, health and care needs, autism assessment and support, housing and employment, and the criminal justice system.

Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Oxfordshire

Dan Leveson, Director of Places and Communities at the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, and Rob Bale, Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health and Learning Disability at Oxford Health NHSFT, were invited to present a report providing an update on Adult and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Oxfordshire. The committee was to consider this report, ask questions, and agree any recommendations. This item was also linked to a motion passed by Oxfordshire County Council requesting the Health & Wellbeing Board to invite the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee to investigate and report on how mental health services are addressing the rising prevalence and impact of poor mental health among adults and children in Oxfordshire. The investigation was to include accessibility to services, covering prevention, assessment, therapeutic support, medication, emergency intervention, and inpatient beds, as well as the impact on other public services.

Health Visitor Services in Oxfordshire

Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health for Oxfordshire County Council, and Emma Leaver, Chief Operating Officer for Community Health Services, Dentistry & Primary Care at Oxford Health NHSFT, were scheduled to present a report on Health Visitor Services in Oxfordshire. The committee was invited to consider this report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Veronica Barry, Executive Director of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, was invited to present the Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update report. The committee was to consider this update and note it after raising any questions.

Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan

A report containing recommendations on the Oxfordshire Learning Disability Plan was scheduled to be discussed. The committee was to consider the report, raise questions, and agree any recommendations. The report highlighted the plan as a ten-year framework underpinned by regular review points, dynamic workplans, and sustained involvement of people with lived experience. Key observations included the importance of an anniversary event to share progress and good practice, the necessity of outcome measures for the strategy, and the need for clarity on partner roles in learning disability services. Recommendations included considering an anniversary event, developing outcome measures for deliverables, and a statement from partners on their roles and contributions. The report also emphasised the importance of improving the quality of annual health reviews and further engagement with people with learning disabilities, autism, and epilepsy, along with timely involvement of voluntary sector organisations.

Response to HOSC Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to receive Acceptances and Responses to recommendations made as part of previous items, specifically concerning the Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Health Plan and Adult Autism and ADHD Services. The committee was recommended to note these responses.

Forward Work Plan

The committee was recommended to agree to the proposed work programme for its upcoming meetings.

Actions and Recommendations Tracker

The committee was recommended to note the progress made against agreed actions and recommendations, and to raise any questions.