Adults, Wellbeing and Health (AWH) Scrutiny Committee

Chair's welcome

Health in County Durham has improved significantly over recent years, but remains below average for England. Health inequalities remain persistent, levels of deprivation in County Durham are higher than the average for England and life expectancy is lower in County Durham than the England average. Like many local authority areas in the country, County Durham has an ageing population which will place additional pressures upon health and social care services over the coming years.

The Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers both health and adult social care issues working closely with key partners within the NHS and health and social care sector. The Committee undertakes the council's statutory health scrutiny role and has engaged with commissioners, providers and the community and voluntary sector to ensure that relationships have been developed enabling the Committee to contribute to the development of strategies and service improvements provided by the Council and its partners.

Projects and reviews

Contact Scrutiny Team for a copy of the work programme, or reports on our reviews.

Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny activity 

Our committee has:

• Reviewed and commented on the draft Integrated Care Board County Durham Plan 2023/24 (July 2023).
• Examined plans by Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to review the clinical model for Adults Learning Disabilities services across County Durham and the Tees Valley (July 2023).
• Engaged in the refresh of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28 and received the final strategy and priorities (July 2023).
• Examined the County Durham Health Protection Assurance Annual Report (July 2023).
• Considered and commented on the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System Joint Forward Plan 2023/24 to 2028/29 (July 2023).
• Examined details of Care Quality Commission Inspection reports and associated Improvement Plans in respect of:
  • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Maternity Services (October 2023)
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (February 2024)
• Scrutinised proposals to reconfigure Community Mental Health Services for Older People in County Durham and Darlington by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (November 2023).
• Monitored progress of plans in respect of the future of services at Shotley Bridge Hospital and the provision of a replacement facility (October 2023 and February 2024).
• Considered updates in respect of Adult Social Care and the Introduction of Local Authority Assessment by the Care Quality Commission (October 2023 and January 2024).
• Reviewed the Winter preparedness Plans for 2023/24 of the County Durham Care Partnership (November 2023).
• Reviewed Integrated Care Board plans for NHS Dentistry Services following members concerns at the reduction of access to NHS Dentistry Services (February 2024).
• Engaged with key NHS, Health and Social Care stakeholders to share information regarding: 
  • HealthWatch County Durham Annual Report (July 2023)
  • Director of Public Health County Durham Annual Report (January 2024)
  • NHS Quality Accounts for North East Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (May 2023, November 2023 and February 2024)
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Community Services Transformation Plan (February 2024)