The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the decision-making process surrounding St Mary's Birth Centre and receive an update on Speech and Language Therapy services across the region. The committee was also set to review its work programme and address questions from members.

Update on St Mary's Birth Centre

A report was scheduled to be presented by the Chief Nursing Officer for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire Integrated Care Boards, detailing the decision-making process for the relocation of births from St Mary's Birth Centre. The report aimed to provide assurance that the process was robust, transparent, and compliant with statutory and legal requirements. It was noted that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) had considered the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee's request to defer the decision but ultimately decided not to, stating that no new information was anticipated that would materially alter the position. The report highlighted that the decision was based on a comprehensive body of evidence, including clinical safety, workforce and financial sustainability, service activity, and engagement findings. The ICB's final decision, as agreed by the LLR ICB Board on 19 March 2026, was to be noted by the committee.

Speech and Language Therapy Service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

The committee was to receive information about Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) services across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, as provided by the Leicester Partnership Trust (LPT). The report was expected to cover an update on the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme, which aims to strengthen a system-wide approach to meeting children's speech, language, and communication needs. The report was also to outline LPT's current SALT provision for children and young people aged 0-18, detailing its assessment, diagnosis, and intervention processes. Furthermore, the report was to set out the system's plans for the future, aligning with the SEND Reforms and the Experts at Hand offer, which aims to enhance the capability of mainstream education settings to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Petitions

A petition from the people of Melton Mowbray was scheduled to be presented, expressing concerns about essential healthcare services in the area. The petition highlighted issues with accessing urgent GP appointments, long waiting times for routine appointments, and the availability of cervical smear tests. It called for the immediate establishment of a second GP practice in Melton Mowbray.

Questions, Representations and Statements of Case

Several questions were submitted for the committee's consideration. Councillor Ramsey Ross raised concerns regarding progress on staffing and alternative provision of services at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, including reductions in agency staff, increases in medical staff, and sickness rates. Questions were also posed about the utilisation of facilities, mental health provision, the role of councils in addressing patient discharge issues, ambulance waiting times, and the underutilisation of independent patient transport services. Additionally, questions were raised about the NHS Dentistry Provision crisis and the accreditation of foreign-qualified dentists. Councillor Zuffar Haq submitted questions regarding the progress of establishing a Maggie's Cancer Centre in Leicester and why local residents might be missing out on world-leading cancer treatment and support.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme for 2025-26 and consider any future items for inclusion. This included noting that GP access was a scheduled future item, with concerns raised about ongoing difficulties in securing appointments and the potential for a two-tier system. The committee was to be informed of the LLR ICB's confirmation that all GP practices accept telephone appointment bookings, with consideration given to a secret shopper exercise.