Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 June 2025 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 26 June 2025 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.

To receive a report and presentation which provides an overview of the findings from the Peer Review undertaken by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in January 2025.  Rotherham Council’s Adult Social Care (ASC) Service commissioned the review in order to provide assurance on the recommendations being implemented to improve the delivery of adult social care for people in Rotherham. 

The Chair welcomed Councillor Baker-Rogers, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health, and Dania Pritchard, Assurance Lead, Professional Practice to the meeting and invited them to introduce the report and presentation.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health  explained that in January 2025, Rotherham Council’s Adult Social Care (ASC) Service undertook a significant step in its journey of continuous improvement by commissioning a peer review from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). This initiative was driven by a desire to gain external assurance on the effectiveness of its service delivery and to ensure that the needs of residents were being met in a compassionate, efficient, and person-centred manner.

The review was conducted over three days and was framed around the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) assurance framework. Specifically, the review focused on three of the four key themes: working with people, providing support, and leadership. The fourth theme, ensuring safety, had already been addressed through a separate peer review by the Rotherham Safeguarding Adults Board earlier in the year.

To carry out the review, ADASS engaged in a comprehensive process that included the audit of 12 case files, interviews, and discussions with approximately 150 individuals including council staff, partner organisations, and people with lived experience along with a thorough examination of submitted evidence. In total, the Peer Review Team spent around 200 hours engaging with the council, both on-site and through document analysis, to build a detailed understanding of the service’s strengths and areas for development.

The findings of the review were both affirming and constructive. ADASS identified ten key messages that painted a largely positive picture of Rotherham’s adult social care landscape. There was clear evidence of strong political and corporate leadership, which instilled confidence in the service’s ability to deliver high-quality care. Relationships with external partners were described as robust and impactful, with numerous examples of effective collaboration that directly benefited service users.

The Assurance Lead, Professional Practice indicated that one of the most encouraging observations was the growing adoption of person-centred and strengths-based approaches. These practices were becoming increasingly embedded in day-to-day operations, reflecting a cultural shift towards empowering individuals and recognising their capabilities. Staff across the service spoke positively about the learning and development opportunities available to them, highlighting the council’s investment in professional growth and workforce sustainability.

The review also noted that the council had established robust systems for quality assurance, performance monitoring, and risk management. Providers reported feeling well-supported through a model of ‘high challenge, high support’ which fostered accountability while encouraging innovation. At the time of the review, there were no delays in the commissioning of home care services, and there was adequate capacity within supported living arrangements—both indicators of a well-functioning care infrastructure.

Despite the strengths identified, the review did not shy away from identifying areas where further progress was needed. ADASS recommended that the Council place greater emphasis on articulating the outcomes and experiences of service users, moving beyond process metrics to understand the real-world impact of care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To receive a report which provides an overview of the work undertaken by Healthwatch Rotherham in 2024-25 and outlines priorities it had identified for the coming year.

The Chair welcomed Kym Gleeson, Healthwatch Rotherham Manager to the meeting and invited them to introduce the annual report.

The Healthwatch Rotherham Manager acknowledged the recent government announcement signalling the intention to terminate the Healthwatch model by amending the Health and Social Care Act and transfer its statutory functions to the DHSC (Department for Health and Social Care). This development raised  concerns about the future of statutory independence, service continuity, and the long-term mission to amplify patient voices and address health inequalities. Despite the uncertainty and lack of a clear transitional plan from commissioners, Healthwatch remained committed to safeguarding Rotherham’s independent voice and working with strategic partners to protect transitional areas.

The Chair responded by commending Healthwatch Rotherham for its outstanding work over the years, acknowledging its role in bringing critical issues to light and representing the voice of the community with dedication and effectiveness.

The Healthwatch Rotherham Manager described that during 2024–2025, Healthwatch Rotherham had undertaken a wide range of impactful activities aimed at amplifying the voices of local residents and improving health and social care services. During the year, Healthwatch engaged with over 1000 individuals who shared their experiences of health and social care, highlighting both successes and areas needing improvement. The organisation supported more than 10,000 people by providing guidance on accessing NHS dentists, understanding mental health services, and navigating the healthcare system.

Outreach efforts included 126 sessions reaching over 4,000 individuals, and targeted health information was delivered to more than 250 people through “Let’s Talk” sessions on topics such as smoking, vaping, and digital support.

Healthwatch’s digital presence extended its reach to over 40,000 people via social media, enabling access to health information beyond traditional methods.

Behind every statistic lay a personal story, and Healthwatch focused on preserving dignity, empowerment, and equity in care. Five focus reports were published during the year, each based on direct community feedback. These reports addressed issues such as misaligned appointment times with public transport timetabling, the need for real-time travel information, and calls for more evening and weekend services. Following the transport report, local bus operators and NHS schedulers revised timetables and added stops.

People with Autism and those with learning disabilities advocated for routine health checks, sensory-friendly waiting areas, easy-read materials, health passports, and staff training in compassionate communication.

Refugee communities highlighted inconsistent interpreter availability, lack of continuity between trusts, and limited cultural competency among staff, requesting more translation support and tailored mental health outreach.

People experiencing homelessness called for mobile clinics, fast-track dental referrals, addiction and mental health support at shelters, and digital inclusion initiatives.

Healthwatch also engaged with 445 young people who expressed confusion about where to seek mental health support. In response, the organisation created and distributed a young persons’ mental health directory, available both online and in print. The Young Persons Report was selected to feature in the Director of Public Health’s annual report, demonstrating its broader value to services and the council.

Continued engagement with the neurodiverse community led to the co-production of an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To receive an update following the White Rose Cancer Report regional launchYorkshire which showcased how cancer outcomes across the region and beyond could be improved based on insights from across Yorkshire.

The Chair invited Councillor Clarke to provide an overview and update in relation to the Yorkshire Cancer Research White Rose Report launch event that they had attended on 3 July 2025, on behalf of the Health Select Commission.

Councillor Clarke advised that the event had taken place at the Wellbeing Research Centre in Attercliffe, where Yorkshire Cancer Research showcased their impactful work and facilities. The report, which was launched by SYMCA (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority) Mayor, Oliver Coppard, was described as deeply sobering, and reflected clear challenges in Cancer prevention and treatment within the region.

Councillor Clarke explained that in Rotherham, 36 people were diagnosed with cancer and 15 died from it each week. Alarmingly, half of all cancers in the area were diagnosed at stage three or four and despite Yorkshire representing 8% of the UK population’s cancer diagnoses, the region received less than 5% of national research funding with seven out of thirteen areas in Yorkshire that had cancer incidence rates above the national average, and nine that had higher mortality rates.

Councillor Clarke also highlighted the impact of health inequalities around Cancer, noting that language and cultural barriers within minority communities often delayed diagnoses. For example, 16% of people from ethnic minority groups and 15% of Black and Asian individuals needed to consult a professional five or more times before receiving a diagnosis, compared to 8% of the white population.

Councillor Clark advised agreed to share the report in full and the Rotherham specific statistics that they had obtained with members via the Commission’s Governance Advisor.

Resolved:-

That the Health Select Commission:

1. Noted the contents of the update provided.

2. Agreed to consider how the information provided might inform scrutiny regarding the fourth lung clinic at Rotherham Hospital scheduled to take place during the Commission’s March 2026 public meeting.

To consider the Health Select Commission’s work programme for 2025-2026.

The Chair invited questions and comments from members regarding the Health Select Commission’s Work Programme as detailed within the agenda pack.

Councillor Yasseen raised a sensitive issue involving the death of a young child at the local hospital trust, which had been subject of a previous report to the Commission and further scrutiny.  Councillor Yassen suggested that it may be prudent to consider whether the findings from a further investigation that had been conducted warranted further consideration by the Health Select Commission.

It was agreed that Councillor Yasseen would provide relevant background information regarding the Health Select Commission’s past involvement to the Chair and Governance Advisor to facilitate considerations regarding the appropriate response in the circumstances.

Councillor Harper queried the absence of the nitrous oxide abuse ‘item for scheduling’ which had been listed on the work programme supplied at the previous Health Select Commission meeting, but which no longer featured in the version included within the agenda pack.

The Governance Advisor explained that following discussions with Councillor Clarke, who had initially brought the issue to the Commission’s attention, the Health Select Commission Chair and the Head of Democratic Services, it was agreed that Rotherham Safer Together Partnership represented a more appropriate vehicle via which to address that issue due to it involving issues around anti-social behaviour and criminal justice in addition to health concerns due to the membership of that partnership.

The Chair noted that despite the realignment of the issue, it remained the case that the Health Select Commission would be kept informed in relation to any discussions and proposed action following the matter being considered by the Rotherham Safer Together Partnership.

Resolved:-

That the Health Select Commission:

1.    Approved the work programme.

2.    Agreed that the Governance Advisor was authorised to make any required changes to the work programme in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair and report any such changes back to the next meeting.

The next JHOSC meeting is due to take place on 23 July 2025. The minutes of the 23 July 2025 JHOSC meeting will be included in the agenda pack for the 2 October 2025 Health Select Commission Meeting.

The meeting of the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) had taken place on 23 June 2025. Members were reminded to submit comments, queries, or questions for forthcoming JHOSC agenda items so that these could be discussed or debated during the meeting next meeting, following publication of the agenda.

Members’ attention was drawn to two items from the 23 June agenda: IVF treatment and gluten-free prescribing, which were discussed at length. Consultations regarding both topics had been launched by the Integrated Care Board, details of which were due to be shared with Health Select Commission members, whom the Chair encouraged to share information about those consultations within their communities to promote engagement and gather a broad range of views.

The Chair detailed that discussions at JHOSC had secured lengthier and more representative consultation arrangements than had originally been proposed in  both cases.

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

No urgent business was formally raised by the Chair during the meeting.  However, the Chair reminded members of the information provided by Kym Gleeson regarding the Healthwatch Health Fair event at Rotherham Minster on Thursday 11 September 2025 from 11.00 am until 14.00 pm and encouraged members to attend if possible.

Also, with the Chair’s permission, Councillor Garnett advised Members about a public panel event that had been scheduled for Wednesday 6 August 2025 in person and online at Rotherham Hospital between 6.00 and 7.00 pm. The panel aimed to gather input on improving the hospital discharge process. Councillor Garnett agreed to provide details to the Governance Advisor to share with Health Select Commission members should they wish to attend.