Apologies were received from Councillor Jeff Anderson.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Tracy Huffer declared an interest due to her employment in a GP practice.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 November 2023.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday 23 January 2024.

There were no public questions received.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday 23 January 2024.

Members questions were received from:

Councillor Bernie Bentick, in relation to emergency department deaths

Councillor Heather Kidd, in relation to SATH’s budget deficit.

Councillor Roger Evans, in relation to the NHS Emeritus scheme.

The full questions and responses provided at the meeting can be found on Responses to Members Questions (shropshire.gov.uk)

To review the Primary Care Access and Recovery Programme.

Gareth Robinson, Director of Delivery and Transformation, NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin

Gareth Robinson, Director of Delivery and Transformation, NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin, introduced the presentation which had been circulated with the agenda, which Members had previously received two development sessions to discuss in detail.

Members were provided with an overview of the Programme, which aims to modernise current practice, improve access to general practice, improve and maintain satisfaction and streamline care and advice. These were incorporated into four key “pillars”; empowering patients, implementing modern General Practice access, building capacity and cutting bureaucracy.

The newly formed Primary Care Improvement and Transformation Board, which is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, has 3 primary areas of oversight in its widest definition to include General Practice, Pharmacy, Optometry and Dentistry:

1. Ensuring development and implementation of the system GP Access Recovery Plan.

2. Primary Care Transformation e.g. Fuller Report ‘Next Steps for Integrating Primary Care’

3. Pharmacy, Optometry and Dentistry – oversight of the delivery of development plans and monitoring of service delivery in partnership with the Shared Commissioning and Contracting service provided by BSOL

Members noted that the next meeting would take place on 27 February 2024 with discussions focussing on urgent and emergency care and an update on winter planning.

To receive a verbal update from the Co-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

In the absence of the Co-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Executive Director of Health provided an update on the recent meetings and focus of the Board.

Members requested a future update on children’s social prescribing and dental services.

Members noted that a report would be receive in April with regards to community transport and a document on substance use and associated action plan would also be circulated.

It was felt that communications could be improved with regards to social prescribing and it was also suggested that that focussed and outreach work with regards to vaccinations be looked into.

To receive a verbal progress update from the Chair.

Members were advised that the report had been well received by Cabinet who would be preparing a report in response which would be brought back to committee. The report had also been taken to the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee who would be forwarding the report to SHIPP, as well as being taken to the Joint HOSC on 27 February 2023. Once adopted by Joint HOSC, it would be taken to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Members expressed their delight at this being the first report produced by a council using the Rural Services Network Toolkit, which can be shared with partners to also adopt and embed rural proofing in people’s minds.

To consider the future work programme of the Committee.

Members noted the work programme and upcoming briefings.

Work programming sessions for 2024/25 would commence in March 2024 to identify priorities going forward.

To note that the next meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on Monday 11 March 2024.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on Monday 11 March 2024.