To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Polly Andrews, Cllr Jenny Bartlett, and Cllr Simeon Cole.

To receive details of any councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the committee.

Cllr Louis Stark was present as the named substitute for Cllr Polly Andrews, and Cllr Rebecca Tully was present as the named substitute for Cllr Jenny Bartlett.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 31 March 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting were received.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

No questions had been received from members of the public.

To receive any written questions from members of the council.

No questions had been received from councillors.

To provide an update on Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s Adult Mental Health Inpatient and Rehabilitation Services Redesign.

The Chairperson invited representatives from the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (the trust) to update the committee on Adult Mental Health Inpatient and Rehabilitation Services Redesign.

The principal points of the discussion are summarised below:

1. The Chief Operating Officer referred to two related schemes as referenced in the report: 1. Quality improvement scheme that is focused on the improvement of patient pathways on acute mental health wards with the outcome of eliminating inappropriate out-of-area placements. It was noted that this scheme is coming to an end and does not have an immediate bearing on services provided in Herefordshire. 2. Longer-term piece of redesign work for mental health rehabilitation.

To discuss and agree any proposed recommendations from the committee’s working group on the All-age carers’ strategy action plan.

The committee considered a report on the All-age carers’ strategy action plan – recommendations of the working group. The Chairperson introduced the officers to present the report.

The Statutory Scrutiny Officer introduced the report and explained that the committee had decided to examine this action plan last year, at a time when the plan had yet to be developed. Wanting to carry out more detailed work with the officers, the committee chose to undertake this in a less formal working group setting. As a result, the meeting was productive, allowing the committee to make suggestions for refining the action plan before it was brought forward for discussion at the full committee meeting.

The principal points of the discussion are summarised below:

1. In response to a question about the need for council-supported forums where carers can informally share issues, advice, or concerns with one another, the Commissioning Manager acknowledged the challenges in encouraging individuals with lived experience to participate in committees. It was noted that there are ongoing discussions about how to better engage carers through larger forums, which would enable feedback to be gathered and reported on activities undertaken. 

2. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing thanked the scrutiny committee for its efforts as part of the working group and acknowledged its recognition of the significance of the all-age carers’ strategy and the vital role of carers, including those who may not identify themselves as carers.

3. The Chair of the Carers Partnership Group added that a significant challenge in getting carers to attend board meetings or events is that they cannot step away from their responsibilities unless someone else is available to temporarily take over their caregiving role, making it difficult for them to participate.

4. The Head of Service Living Well added that there have been discussions about creating forums and potentially replicating the young carers sub-group of the Carers Partnership Board, which meets at times convenient for young people. She also noted that consideration has been given to strategies for recruiting members to the partnership boards.

5. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing also emphasized the importance of acknowledging both the quality of life and the needs of those who provide care and what respite they are receiving.

It was noted, as part of the report recommendations, the committee would receive an update in due course on implementing the All-age carers strategy action plan.

The Chairperson thanked the officers and the Chair of the Carers Partnership Group for attending.

Resolved that:

1. The committee note the report;

2. The committee endorse the findings of the working group’s report; and

3. The committee receives an update in due course on implementing the All-age carers strategy action plan.

To consider the work programme for Herefordshire Council’s Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

The Statutory Scrutiny Officer noted the draft work programme for the Health, Care, and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for the municipal year 2024/25.

The principal points of the discussion are summarised below:

1. It was noted that as part of the scrutiny review was an exploration of different ways of working away from the committee-based system. There are a couple of issues that were recognised that the committee may want to consider.

2. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing expressed concern, from the directorate’s perspective, about the potential notification of a CQC visit and emphasised that staff should not be diverted from preparing for the inspection to take part in a task and finish group focused on adult social care demand. She noted that while no date for the visit has been confirmed, it could occur soon. It was therefore suggested that the committee postpone starting the task and finish group until after the CQC visit has taken place.

3. The Director of Public Health added that it might be beneficial to wait for the CQC inspection to take place before initiating the task and finish group.

4. The Statutory Scrutiny Officer responded that he did not foresee any conflict between the CQC inspection and the work of the task and finish group. He explained that, with a task and finish group, terms of reference would be presented to the committee in July, followed by the development of a detailed scope and work programme to explore the topic further.

5. In response to a question about when the report from the CQC would be received, the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing explained that, to her understanding, the CQC provides a verbal report at the end of their visit week, with the written report following fairly soon afterward.

Resolved that:

1. The committee agree the draft work programme for Health, Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee contained in the work programme report attached as appendix 1, which will be subject to monthly review, as the basis of their primary focus for the remainder of the municipal year.

2. The committee note the work programme for the other scrutiny committees, and identify any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Date of the next scheduled meeting: Monday 28 July 2025, 2.00 pm

The date of the next meeting is Monday 28 July 2025, 2.00 pm.