Agenda and draft minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 June 2026 as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2026 were approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

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

The following declarations of interest were made:-

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or press.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

There were no items on the agenda that required the exclusion of the press or members of the public.

This item is to consider a presentation in relation to the proposals in relation to the Phase 2 development of the Town Centre Health Hub, as requested by the Health Select Commission following its consideration of Phase 1 proposals in June 2025.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, Lorna Vertigan, Head of Regeneration, Councillor Baker-Rogers, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Gilly Brenner, Public Health Consultant to the meeting and invited them to introduce the presentation in relation to Phase 2 proposals for the Health Hub development and wider strategic context.

The Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy explained that the project represented a significant opportunity to combine the Council’s regeneration ambitions with health and wellbeing objectives in a way that would benefit both residents and the town centre. Members were reminded that Phase 1 was already underway and had involved the successful relocation of Abbey Pharmacy from the Markets complex into the former Boots building on Effingham Street as part of the wider Markets and Library regeneration scheme. Phase 2 was intended to build on this foundation by exploring a broader vision for the site as a town-centre-based health and wellbeing hub.

The proposal sought to improve access to primary health services, encourage greater integration between health providers, local government and the voluntary sector, address health inequalities and increase vibrancy and footfall within the town centre. The location was considered particularly advantageous due to its proximity to public transport links, the markets, the new library, parking facilities and other town centre amenities.

Members were advised that the Rotherham GP Federation had expressed a strong interest in relocating a number of borough-wide services into the hub, creating an opportunity to develop a more integrated and accessible model of service delivery. It was emphasised that proposals remained at an early stage and that significant engagement and business case development would be required before any formal decisions were taken.

The Head of Regeneration outlined the history and strategic importance of the former Boots building, which had been purchased by the Council several years earlier to prevent its conversion into storage space. Its prominent location opposite the markets and new library, close to the Interchange, Tesco and Drummond Street car park, provided an opportunity to attract visitors into the town centre and support movement between neighbouring businesses and facilities.

Members heard that Phase 1 had been completed successfully, with Abbey Pharmacy now operating from the site and experiencing high levels of footfall and positive customer feedback. The vision for the next phase was to develop a central, accessible facility offering a range of health and wellbeing services through a collaborative approach involving public, private and voluntary sector partners. The project aimed to improve access to services, reduce health inequalities, contribute to town centre growth and create a more seamless patient experience through the co-location of pharmacy and clinical services. The proposal also aligned with the Council Plan and the Rotherham Together Partnership’s ambitions to create vibrant town centres while improving health outcomes.

The Public Health Consultant provided an overview of the complex health commissioning landscape, explaining the respective roles of Integrated Care Boards, NHS England, the Department of Health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

This item is to receive an update in relation to the Primary Care Network landscape in the borough, how health services are delivered across these structures and to explore how these could be developed to better support Rotherham’s communities.

The Chair Welcomed Simon Langmead, Clinical Director of Rotherham Central North Primary Care Network, and Jude Archer, Assistant Director of Transformation at the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to the meeting and invited them to introduce the presentation relating to the role of PCNs in delivering healthcare services across the borough and their future contribution to neighbourhood-based models of care.

The Clinical Director of Rotherham Central North Primary Care Network outlined his role as a practising GP in Rotherham, Clinical Director of one of the borough’s six Primary Care Networks, Chair of the Clinical Directors Group and lead for neighbourhood health development across primary care. They explained that the presentation was intended to provide an overview of the development of the Primary Care Networks in Rotherham, their current structure, the work they were undertaking and their anticipated role within future neighbourhood health arrangements.

Members heard that Primary Care Networks had been established nationally in 2019 following publication of the NHS Long Term Plan and the associated five-year framework. Their creation had represented a significant change in the organisation of general practice by encouraging and requiring GP practices to collaborate more closely in delivering services for defined populations. Previously, GP practices had largely operated as individual businesses with limited joint responsibility for service delivery. The introduction of PCNs was therefore described as a major cultural and operational shift, supported by targeted funding intended to strengthen collaborative working and expand the scope of primary care provision.

The Commission was advised that Rotherham’s PCNs had evolved from the former Clinical Commissioning Group locality structures. Whilst the previous arrangements had primarily supported communication and peer support between practices, the formation of PCNs brought greater responsibility for joint working and service delivery. Six Primary Care Networks had subsequently been established across the borough, each serving populations ranging from approximately 35,000 to 55,000 residents. The networks had largely developed from pre-existing relationships between practices and therefore did not always align with clear geographic boundaries.

Detailed information was provided regarding the composition of each network. Health Village and Dearne PCN covered practices within central Rotherham and parts of the northern borough. Maltby and Wickersley PCN served practices based largely around the Maltby and Wickersley geography. Raven PCN consisted of a cluster of practices serving a broad central and southern area. Rother Valley South PCN represented the most geographically coherent network, covering communities including Dinnington, Thurcroft, Swallownest and surrounding areas. Central North PCN served central and western parts of the borough, including Kimberworth and Greasbrough. Wentworth 1 PCN covered a large area across the northern borough, Parkgate, Rawmarsh and parts of central Rotherham. Members were shown a map illustrating the extent of each network and were advised that significant overlap existed between many PCN boundaries, particularly within central parts of the borough.

The wider organisational structure of primary care within Rotherham was then explained. Members heard that the borough contained 28 GP practices, which collectively formed the six Primary Care Networks. Above this structure sat Connect Healthcare  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

This item is to consider the report and recommendations proposing the appointment of the Rotherham Women’s Health Network as a Non-voting Co-optee of the Health Select Commission.

The content of the report included in the agenda pack was outlined by the Governance Advisor at the Chairs request, as was the process which would follow if the Commission elected to support the recommendations therein.

Resolved:

That the Health Select Commission:

1. Seek approval from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to appoint a non-voting Co-optee seat from the Rotherham Women’s Health Network (RWHN) to the Commission’s membership.

2. Seek approval from OSMB that the RWHN non-voting co-optee seat on the Health Select Commission shall remain in place until such time as it is deemed no longer necessary or appropriate by the Commission.

To consider the Health Select Commission’s work programme for 2026/2027.

Members were advised that the work programme had been updated to reflect items for consideration as potential reviews, and it was noted that a scoping, scoring and prioritisation session would be convened in due course to consider those topics and make relevant determinations as to future scrutiny activity.

Resolved:-

That the Health Select Commission:

1. Approved the proposed work programme.

2. Agreed that the Governance Advisor be authorised to make any required changes to the work programme in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair and reporting any such changes back at the next meeting for endorsement.

This item is to receive a copy of the Healthwatch Rotherham Annual Report 2025/26.  This is being shared so that members are sighted on the work conducted by Healthwatch Rotherham during that period of time, and the outcomes achieved for Rotherham residents.

Members received a copy of the Healthwatch Rotherham Annual Report 2025/26. This was shared to ensure the Health Select Commission were sighted on the work conducted by Healthwatch Rotherham the relevant period of time, and the outcomes achieved for Rotherham residents.

To receive and consider the minutes and recommendations of the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The minutes of the last JHOSC meeting held 7 January 2026 were shared with members as soon as they became available and via the 14 May Health Select Commission meeting agenda pack.

The next JHOSC meeting remains expected to take place in October 2026, and final arrangements are underway regarding the agenda for that meeting.

Health Select Commission members will be updated regarding the agreed agenda items and meeting date once confirmed, at which point Members will be invited to share any questions or comments they would like to be included in JHOSC’s discussions regarding those agreed items for consideration.

Members were advised that the next JHOSC meeting remains expected to take place in October 2026, with final arrangements are still to be confirmed.

Health Select Commission members were informed that they would be updated regarding the agreed agenda items and meeting date once confirmed, at which point Members were invited to share any questions or comments on the agenda items.

To consider any item(s) which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Members were advised that arising from its recent response to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) Quality Account, the Health Select Commission had been invited to participate in the YAS Critical Friends Network (CFN) to facilitate a two way dialogue and provide additional context and opportunity for feedback and proactivity in relation to Quality Accounts relevant workstreams and progress.

Members were advised that the Chair attended the meeting that took place on 22 July 2026 and was keen to offer the opportunity to the Commission’s membership to represent the Health Select Commission in that environment.  Members were asked to make contact with the Chair and/or Governance Advisor if they wanted further information about the CFN, or were interested in attending.