Agenda and draft minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to report.

No questions had been received in advance of the meeting and there were no members of the public or press in attendance at the meeting.

There were no communications to report.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24^th September, 2025.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24^th September, 2025, be approved as a true record.

Steph Watt, Portfolio Lead – Urgent and Community Care, ICB, to present the 2025/26 Winter Plan.

Steph Watt, Portfolio Lead Urgent and Community Care, presented a report on the 2025/26 Rotherham Winter Plan together with the following powerpoint:-

Winter 2024/25

-        Urgent and Emergency Care Programme focussed on increasing out of hospital pathways as alternatives to avoidable conveyances and admissions and reducing discharge delays

-        Additional monies were invested across Place to support system flow over winter utilising Section 75 Better Care monies and the national Discharge Fund together with organisational investment by The Rotherham Foundation Trust (TRFT) and Council

Winter Schedules 2024/25

-        Comprehensive vaccination programme co-ordinated across Primary Care, TRFT and the Council supporting vulnerable citizens, care homes and health and care staff

-        Increased GP appointments including acute respiratory hub

-        ‘PUSH’ Community Health and Social Care Teams responding to non-critical 999 calls to reduce ambulance conveyances, including new respiratory and mental health pathways

-        Increased capacity on the virtual ward

-        Additional staffing resource including Consultant and resident doctor medical cover, therapy, Social Worker, enablement and portering resource

-        Extended opening hours for Community Ready Unit with support to ensure timely medicines

-        Extension of patient transport

-        Home from Hospital Pathway to reduce waiting times

-        Priority services identified for children with plans for temporary reductions elsewhere to support peak pressures

-        Reduce in out of area mental health placement

-        Robust mental health digital offer

-        Rotherham safe space provided additional out-of-hours support for individuals in crisis

-        Voluntary sector support through Age UK Hospital Aftercare Service, Urgent and Emergency Social Prescribers and NHS Responders providing post-discharge medicine delivery service

Going into Winter 2025/26

Post Winter/Summer Period

-        Successful winter schemes embedded into business as usual

-        £7M investment in new medical SDEC and ways of working

-        Transfer of Care Hub co-located in the community setting

-        High impact work/pro-active care

-        Increased capacity virtual ward including remote tech

-        Enablement waiting lists reduced from high of 66 to record low of 9 as of 13^th August 2025

-        Impact of system flow roles

-        4 hour performance improving – 70%+

-        NCTR metric improved, metrics for 7, 14 and 21 day delays and discharges pre-5.00 p.m. all compared favourably with the region and those with lower NCTR

-        Understanding ED demand work to target and promote alternative pathways

Challenges

-        Demand still high in community and ED

-        High levels of acuity and complexity reflecting Rotherham’s ageing population and demographic

-        New ED attendance normal 300+ compared to c270s previously

-        Playing out through system flow and pressure on discharge care co-ordination and community pathways

-        Record high of 391 attendances as at 20^th October 2025

-        Escalation beds remained open over the summer

-        30 surge beds open in October

-        High levels of scrutiny

National Performance Metrics 2025/26

-        Reduce ambulance wait times for Cat 2 (stroke, heart attacks, sepsis and major trauma) from 35 minutes to 30

-        Eradicate ambulance handover delays – maximum 45 minutes

-        Ensure 78% of people who attend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Hannah Thornton, Director of Services (Projects) Voluntary Action Rotherham, to present the work with the voluntary and community sector to provide a more integrated approach to care.

Hannah Thornton, Director of Services, Voluntary Action Rotherham, presented a report on the work being undertaken to further understand the role of the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) in contributing to the health, wellbeing and care across the Borough.

The following powerpoint presentation was given:-

Rotherham VCSE – State of the sector 2024

-        1,399 organisations – the majority of which were small (£10,000-£100,000) or micro (under £10,000 income)

-        3,388 employees worked in charities in Rotherham

-        £120M estimated contribution of employees to the economy per annum

-        6,017 people volunteered in charities in Rotherham

-        £17M estimated contribution of volunteers to the economy per annum

-        1,774 people were trustees in charities in Rotherham

-        Overall income of charities in Rotherham - £97M

-        Many organisations had a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.  Some were specifically dedicated to serving particular groups including:-

Older people (26%)

Disabled people (21%)

People who were educationally or economically disadvantaged (14%)

Communities experiencing racial inequity (13%)

Young people (13%)

Connecting with People’s Health

-        Specialist and condition-specific

Condition-specific peer support, Domiciliary Care, Specialist Carers support, Palliative Care, Counselling and Therapy

-        Health creation and maintenance

Physical and mental wellbeing, family support, creative health, faith and spirituality, support for older people, nature connection, local community hubs, social connection

-        Addressing wider determinants

Learning skills and digital inclusion, information, advocacy and benefits advice

Connection with people where they are

-        Social-economic groups and deprivation

-        Inclusion health and vulnerable groups

-        Protected characteristics in the Equality Duty

-        Geography

Funding

-        Grants from Trust and foundations (31%)

-        Fees and earned income (22%)

-        Grants from the public sector (18%)

-        Contracts of service agreements (11%)

Primary Care – Proactive Care

-        Risk stratification of patients

Moderate to severe frailty patients with 2+ hospital admissions in the last 12 months

Diabetes and high risk of admission

Respiratory and high risk of admission

-        Rotherham Social Prescribing Service

-        Dementia Carers Resilience Service

-        Micro-Commissioned Support

Urgent and Emergency Care Centre

-        Identification of patients on/awaiting discharge

Integrated Discharge Team

Urgent Therapy Team

Reablement Team

Healthy Hospitals Programme

Community Hospital Admission Avoidance Team

Social Prescribing Community Hub Network

-        Cortonwood Comeback Centre

-        High Street Centre, Rawmarsh

-        Unity Centre, Town Centre

-        Kimberworth Park Community Partnership

-        Dinnington Area Regeneration Trust

-        The Learning Community, Dinnington

-        Treeton Village Community and Resource Centre

-        Kiveton Community Hub

-        Rawmarsh Social Prescribing Hub

Primary Care – Integrated Mental Health Hubs

-        Care Provision for people living with SMI

-        In the context of the CMHT this included psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder diagnosis, eating disorders, severe depression and mental health rehabilitation needs

-        May be co-existing with other conditions such as frailty, cognitive impairment, neurodevelopmental conditions or substance use

Social Prescribing – Return on Investment

-      Sheffield Hallam University’s 4 year evaluation of the Service (published August 2024) identified

·        Reduced in-patient admissions for all patients who had been admitted to hospital more than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Lorna Quinn, Public Health Intelligence Specialist, to present an analysis of health and wellbeing related questions of the Rotherham School Survey and trend analysis.

Lorna Quinn, Public Health Intelligence Specialist, presented an analysis of the health and wellbeing related questions of the Rotherham School Survey and trend analysis.

The following powerpoint presentation was given:-

Participation Overview

-        All 16 Rotherham secondary schools responded

-        Feedback was also received from the Pupil Referral Unit in Rotherham and students who were elective home educated

-        A total of 4,602 students participated in the 2025 survey

-        2025 participation rate – 62.4% of eligible students took part.  Total survey participants – combined = 4,602 Year 7 = 2,519 and Year 10 = 2,083

Overall Positive Trend

-        Decrease in alcohol consumption, decrease in regular smoking (below 2% regular), decrease in ‘poor’ physical health (-20% fair and poor) and a decrease in students who do not eat breakfast (1 in 6)

Overall Negative Trend

-        Increase of Year 10’s regularly vaping, increase in poor mental health and an increase in bullying

Health and Wellbeing

-        4 in 5 young people reported their physical health as excellent or good

-        4 in 5 young people exercised at least twice a week

-        90% of young people had been to a dentist in the last 12 months

-        63% of young people reported their mental health as good or excellent

-        40% of young people had been bullied in the last 6 months but this was higher in younger years and girls

Factors to consider

-        Those who did regular physical activity were less likely to have poor mental health

-        Young people who engaged in culture were less likely to experience poor mental health and there were positive associations with physical activity

Next Steps

-        To promote and refer to the results when considering the needs of our children and young people

-        Opportunities to support the physical activity and culture element

-        Document to be published alongside the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

-        Further work with CYPS

-        Colleagues could request bespoke analysis

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        The survey was circulated in July/August.  Pupils were given dedicated time to complete it

·        The outcome of the survey was sent to all school leaders for them to consider the results for their particular school

·        The survey included Year 7 and 10 pupils in alternative provision and special schools.  There was likely to be a difference in the responses but that would be within the indepth analysis

·        Work was to take place shortly with children and young people working with the School Games Organisation in schools to facilitate inschool engagement

·        A real emphasis of the Sport England work was to give children and young people an opportunity to try different activities and have fun

·        Elected Members each had small funding pots and may wish to use it to fund activities in their area – Ward specific data would be helpful

Resolved:-  That the findings of the 2025 School Survey be noted.

Oscar Holden, Corporate Improvement Officer, and Emily Parry-Harries, Director of Public Health, to provide an update on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy action plan.

Oscar Holden, Corporate Improvement Officer, presented an update on the Health and Wellbeing Priorities.  The Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy 2025-30 was agreed at the Board’s meeting in June and endorsed by Cabinet on 15^th September, 2025 (Minute No. 40 refers).  The priorities, agreed in principle, were:-

Priority 1:  We will reduce the prevalence of smoking in Rotherham to 5% by 2030

Priority 2:  We will increase the wellbeing of the people of Rotherham to above national average by 2030

Priority 3:  We will increase the proportion of people who feel they have the support and resources they need to manage their own health

Priority 4:  We will promote environments which support and enhance wellbeing

The finalised wording and metrics for the priorities had been further discussed at a meeting on 24^th November, 2025:-

Priority 1 “We will reduce the prevalence of smoking in Rotherham by 5% by 2030”

Metrics

-        Smoking rate (from existing Public Health metrics)

-        Another metric that potentially measured smoking prevalence by areas of deprivation

Priority 2 “We will increase the good mental health of the people of Rotherham towards the national average by 2030”

Metrics

-        Happiness measure for adults and a similar source for children and young people (from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment)

-        Life satisfaction question (Office of National Statistics)

Priority 3 “We will increase the proportion of people who feel they have the care and resources they need to support their own health”

Metrics

-        Measure for soft services access

-        Measure for families and wider support

Priority 4 “People in Rotherham have access to environments that promote their health and wellbeing and they understand why this matters”

Metrics

-        Community Safety measure (from existing Safer Rotherham Partnership metrics)

-        One other metric that will include one of the following:  access to healthy food, adults take recommended exercise, air quality, public transport

Action Plan

Oscar also reported on the following feedback from the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board as follows:-

·         Consider the suggestions for smokefree zones, mental health support and family-friendly initiatives

·         Explore ways to promote services and activities such as through social media and in community spaces

·         Continue to involve children, young people and families in shaping and renewing the strategy priorities.

Councillor Baker-Rogers had been invited to the next Partnership Board meeting in January to continue to involve children and young people in the Health and Wellbeing Board.  These would be considered further once the new action plan was in place.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        Healthwatch UK had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Alex Hawley, Public Health Consultant, to presentthe Health Protection Annual Report.

Denise Littlewood, Health Protection Principal, presented a summary of the assurance functions of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Health Protection Committee.

Denise gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

Assurance Overview

-        Collaborative Multi-Agency Efforts

Multiple agencies in Rotherham worked together to safeguard Public Health through co-ordinated health protection arrangements

-        Health Protection Domains

The report covered infectious disease control, screening, immunisation, emergency preparedness and infection prevention

-        Stakeholder Assurance and Reporting

Screening Programmes

-        Improved Screening Uptake – screening programmes in Rotherham had increased participation especially in breast, bowel and cervical cancer screenings

-        Accessibility for Learning Disabilities – collaborative efforts had improved screening accessibility for individuals with learning disabilities

-        Diabetic Eye Screening Progress – Diabetic Eye Screening Programme addressed backlog and maintained compliance with national invite interval standards

-        Bowel Screening Age Extension – bowel screening programme expanded age coverage supporting early detection and national policy compliance

Immunisation Programmes

-        MMR Vaccination Coverage – MMR dose 1 coverage by age 2 remained above 90%, aiming for 95% for effective community protection

-        Adolescent Immunisation Challenges – Post-pandemic decline in adolescent vaccinations led to targeted interventions to improve school-based uptake

-        HPV Vaccination Focus - HPV vaccination aligned with national cervical cancer elimination strategies to reduce disease incidence

-        RSV Vaccination Introduction - RSV vaccine launched in 2024 for pregnant women and older adults to protect vulnerable groups

-        Pertussis Vaccination for Pregnant Women – vaccination update amongst pregnant women remained above the 60% optimal threshold amid rising national cases and infant deaths

-        Targeted Seasonal Flu Vaccination - seasonal flu vaccination targeted high-risk groups including young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals through focused initiatives

-        Focus on Vulnerable Populations - efforts prioritised individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, learning disabilities or severe mental illness to reduce infectious disease impact

-        Healthcare Associated Infections - pathogen Surveillance – Monitoring key pathogens like MRSA, MSSA, C.Difficile and E.Coli was essential to control infection spread in healthcare settings

-        Effective MRSA Control - cases decreased significantly reflecting success of targeted infection control measures and protocols

-        Antimicrobial Stewardship - increased cases of C.Difficle were addressed by improved antimicrobial stewardship and staff interventions

-        Care Home Hydration Project - initiatives in care homes supported infection control by improving patient health and reducing complications

-        Low TB Incident in Rotherham - Rotherham maintained a low TB incidence despite rising national rates through effective local health strategies

-        Enhanced Case Management - complex TB cases required enhanced case management to ensure proper treatment and thorough follow-up

-        Collaborative Health Protection - regional collaboration and cohort reviews promoted best practices in TB screening and management

-        Support for Underserved Populations - proactive TB management included ensuring care and support for underserved and vulnerable populations

-        Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - leadership and Co-ordination – Senior Public Health Practitioner led IPC initiatives ensuring focused and organised infection control efforts across the community

-        IPC Audits and Outbreak Management - regular audits and outbreak management support helped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Alexandra Hart, Public Health Practitioner/Gilly Brenner, Public Health Consultant, to provide an overview of the Rotherham Food Network including vision and action plan.

Alexandra Hart, Public Health Practitioner, presented an overview of the Rotherham Food Network including the vision and action plan.

Alexandra gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

Why food matters

-        Relevance across policy areas

-        4 of 5 top risk factors related to diet

-        ¾ of Rotherham adults were overweight/obese

-        High rates of overweight/obesity in children and young people

-        Inequality driven by poverty

Food insecurity and inequality

-        Inequalities in disposable income made healthy options too expensive

-        Less healthy food was cheaper per calorie

-        Marketing and offers promoted unhealthy options

Update

-        Refresh of the action plan to cover the next 5 years

-        Interest in working groups for Youth Cabinet and food growing

-        Continuation of Food in Crisis Partnership

-        Food Works project created 10 Just Meals freezer locations across Rotherham

Food Works Project

-        £60,000 over 2 years from March 2025

-        Installing 10 freezers within local community spaces

-        Provided healthy surplus food derived ready meals for minimum £1

-        Evaluation to follow and inform year 2

Risks and issues

-        Food governance and strategy

-        Good Food movement

-        Healthy food for all

-        Sustainable food economy

-        Catering and procurement

-        Sustainable food environment

Shafiq Hussain offered to support the Public Health Team to implement their work further.  It was noted that David from VAR had been very helpful to progress the work so far.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the update from the Rotherham Food Network be noted.

(2)  That the impact of lack of access to healthy sustainable food in Rotherham on health outcomes be noted.

(3)  That the challenges that arose from the tensions of poverty, regeneration, economic growth, climate change and the accessibility of healthy sustainable food be noted.

(4)  That the Board consider how Board Members could commit to driving forward any elements of the action plan.

Joanne Martin to present an update on the Neighbourhood Working programme.

Joanne Martin, Programme Lead, Transformation and Delivery, NHS South Yorkshire, presented an update on the Neighbourhood Working programme.

Rotherham had been accepted onto the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP), a national initiative aimed at accelerating neighbourhood working and strengthening proactive care.

Addressing health inequalities through the Programme went beyond improving outcomes for individuals; it strengthened the entire health and care system.  By focusing on proactive care and targeted prevision, the aim was to reduce the disproportionate burden of disease in deprived communities and among minority groups.  This approach ensured that those most at risk received timely, co-ordinated support which not only improved quality of life but also prevented escalation to acute care.

The programme supported a cultural shift towards prevention and community-based care, building resilience and equity across the system.

The Programme’s collective role was to create the conditions for NbH to flourish:-

The Project

-        Building on existing mechanisms

-        Focussing on a defined cohort

Adults with long term conditions and rising risk

Local prioritisation, existing pilot schemes

Most likely to have highest impact

-        Refine, adapt, generate new ideas

-        Rapid cycle testing driven by data

-        Shared learning

The People

-        Working towards a shared purpose

-        Building on relationships across the system

-        Taking collective action and shared accountability

-        Being curious and open-minded

-        Not being afraid of ‘failure’

-        Being action and delivery focussed

Suggested Neighbourhood Programme

-        National Neighbourhood Programme – Proactive Care – Enhance Current Model

Meets national cohort request

Rotherham Place approach based on PCN footprint

Involves all stakeholder participation

Baseline established

Data drive via Eclipse and judgement

-        Local Neighbourhood Programme – Place wide

Focus on prevention of diabetes and heart health

Suggest focus on key drivers on long term conditions i.e. smoking, obesity and hypertension

Target focus – Eastwood Village

The presentation also set out the proposed governance structure.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        18 identified people who attended the sessions including patients

·        It was a 12 month programme and insufficient time to re-look at structure and re-organise teams but focus on what the function was of all the teams and the outcome could follow

·        Ensure providing consistent universal provision of services but sufficiently flexible to be able to target communities across the Borough.  It would be data driven as to where the resources needed to be focussed

·        The workshops had extended beyond the national ask i.e. adults with 2 or more LTC and wanted to tackle prevention, support children, getting people fitter, tackle frailty and end of life care and getting people back to work

·        It was not a new model for Rotherham but about enhancing the existing model

·        The Operational Group had been set up and met once.  It was currently feeding into the Place Board which had agreed to sponsor this as a programme

·        How could Elected Members and Neighbourhood Co-ordinators support the Programme?

·        It was a national Programme that was already 3 months into the 12 months.  Undertaking a massive restructure across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

There were no issues to report.

(a) 

BCF Covering Report and 2025/26 Quarter 1 Reporting Template

BCF Call-Off Partnership Work Order 2025-26 (and appendix)

(b) 

BCF Covering Report and Quarter 2 Template

a) Better Care Fund (BCG) Quarter 1 Reporting Template and Call-Off Partnership/Work Order 2025/26

It was noted that the BCF Q1 Reporting Template, covering the period 1^st April to 30^th June, 2025,  had been submitted to NHS England on 15^th August, 2025. 

At the end of Quarter 1, Rotherham was 40 over target resulting in a population rate of 227.74 (per 100,000) against a Quarter 1 target population rate of 153.07.  Based on previous learning, it was anticipated that the figures would reduce following data validation and mitigation activity.

It was further noted that the BCF Call-Off Partnership/Work Order 2025/26 had been fully signed by both partner organisations and in place by 30^th September, 2025.

(b)  BCF Quarter 2 Template

It was noted that the BCF Q2 Reporting Template, covering the period 1^st July to 30^th September, 2025,  had been submitted to NHS England on 11^th November, 2025. 

During Q2 there had been 116 new admissions against a target of 82 although this was expected to be revised downward in the coming months.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the submission of the BCF Quarter 1 and 2 documentation to NHS England by respective deadlines, be noted.

(2)  That the submitted of the Better Care Fund Call-Off Partnership/Work Order for 2025/26 be approved.

Minutes of meeting held on 16^th July, 2025.

The minutes of the Rotherham Place Board ICB Business meeting held on 16^th July, 2025, were noted.

Minutes of meeting held on 16^th July 2025.

The minutes of the Rotherham Place Board Partnership Business meetings held on 16^th July, 2025, were noted.