Children, Families, Health & Care SC

Minutes CHILDREN, FAMILIES, HEALTH & CARE SELECT COMMITTEE 23 June 2026 Meeting held at Committee Room 5 - Civic Centre Committee Members Present: Councillors Ekta Gohil (Chair), Jane Palmer (Vice-Chair), Sophie Dror, Hedson Farinha De Castro, John Garner, Jan Sweeting (Opposition Lead), Anil Taneja and Tony Little LBH Officers Present: Mark Braddock (Senior Democratic Services Manager), Julie Kelly (Corporate Director of Children's Services), Sandra Taylor (Corporate Director of Adult Social Care & Health) and Nikki O'Halloran (Democratic, Civic and Ceremonial Manager) 3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (Agenda Item 1) There were no apologies for absence. 4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 2) There were no declarations of interest in matters coming before this meeting. 5. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 MARCH 2026 (HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SELECT COMMITTEE (Agenda Item 3) RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Health and Social Care Select Committee meeting held on 26 March 2026 be agreed as a correct record. 6. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 APRIL 2026 (CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND EDUCATION SELECT COMMITTEE) (Agenda Item 4) RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Children, Families and Education Select Committee meeting held on 14 April 2026 be agreed as a correct record. 7. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MAY 2026 (Agenda Item 5) RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee meeting held on 14 May 2026 be agreed as a correct record. 8. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC (Agenda Item 6) RESOLVED: That all items of business be considered in public. 9. INTRODUCTION TO OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (Agenda Item 7) Mr Mark Braddock, the Council’s Senior Democratic Services Manager and Statutory Scrutiny Officer, noted that there were four newly elected Councillors on the Committee. He explained the role and importance of overview and scrutiny in local government and how this had been organised at a Hillingdon level. The principles of effective overview and scrutiny were to:  provide constructive ‘critical friend’ challenge;  amplify the voices and concerns of the public;  be led by independent* people who took responsibility for their role (*relating to combined authorities where the chair was independent); and  drive improvement in public services. Although not decision-making bodies, overview and scrutiny committees provided Members with the opportunity to make a difference and influence decisions. The Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee’s remit included the requirement to exercise the Council’s statutory health scrutiny functions in accordance with the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013 (as amended). The Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health and the Corporate Director of Children’s Services would provide Members with more detail during the next agenda item about the service areas that they covered that fell within the Committee’s remit. The Committee was responsible for establishing a Panel to oversee the corporate parenting responsibilities of the Council (the Corporate Parenting Panel) and would consider a report later on the agenda to agree the membership thereof. RESOLVED: That the report be noted. 10. SERVICE BRIEFINGS (VERBAL UPDATE) (Agenda Item 8) The Chair welcomed those present to the meeting. Ms Julie Kelly, the Council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services, gave an overview of the services that were provided within her directorate which included:  Children’s Social Care (Ms Tehseen Kauser) o Family Help – a new model of working had been introduced in August 2025 and enabled officers to work with families who were at risk  Child protection planning  Targeted held assessment and planning o Stronger Families and Protection  Stronger Families Hub – changed from MASH and EDT in 2021  Family Hubs and Children’s Centres – there were four hubs and ten centres in Hillingdon  Multi agency child protection  Out of hours social work o Youth Justice and Adolescent Services  Axis – this early intervention and prevention model had been adopted and was used to address county lines issues  Youth justice  Adolescent social work  Kiss (sexual health support) / LINK (counselling) – funded by Public Health o Care Support and Transitions  Court social work  Cared for children – there were 310 cared for children in Hillingdon and 94 asylum seeking children  Transition to adulthood  Short breaks – this service enabled families to continue to care for their children  Safeguarding and Care (Mr Alex Coman) o Multi agency safeguarding arrangements o Learning and development o Children’s participation and coproduction - not just consultation o Kinship care o Foster care o Residential care – the Council had opened eight new residential homes in the Borough o Adoption o Staying Close – an extended care offer for care leavers  Education and SEND (Ms Abi Preston) o SEND commissioning, assessment, planning and review o SEND Advisory Service o EHCP Plus o Educational Psychology o Experts at Hand – providing additional educational psychology support for schools, the Council’s plan had been submitted to the Department for Education last week o Education admissions o Attendance and exclusions o Elective home education o Adult learning o Music service o Early years Ms Kelly advised that her directorate was still responsible for ensuring that there were sufficient school places in the Borough but that SEND transport fell within the responsibilities of the Adult Social Care and Health directorate. Ms Sandra Taylor, the Council’s Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health, advised that her directorate covered adult social care and public health but that she also had a lead role in working with NHS partners. Social care and health were being integrated to provide a better service delivery and prevention programme for residents. Support was provided for adults in Hillingdon (including long term support) to enable them to be more resilient and live safe and fulfilling lives with less dependency on services. The health and wellbeing of Hillingdon’s residents was a key priority and the directorate covered five areas which included:  Immediate Response Service (Mr Gavin Fernandez) – delays in treatment caused by COVID had started to flatten out but there continued to be significant demand: o Addiction Recovery Community Hillingdon (ARCH) o Approved Mental Health Professions (AMHPs) – 1,100 mental health assessments and 100 Community Treatment Orders in 2024/25 o Health integration and Better Care Fund – funding health integration o MASH (adult interface) – Section 42 enquiries were an output of the MASH. A strong working relationship had been developed with partners such as the Police, NHS and mental health o Safeguarding triage and Section 42 – Hillingdon received around 11,000- 12,000 safeguarding enquiries each year. Most of these were dealt with at the point of discussion but around 400 needed further enquiries o Reablement and occupational therapy – 992 residents had received reablement services for up to six weeks in 2024/25 with 754 not requiring any services post intervention o Single Point of Access – there had been 42,302 adult social care contacts in 2024/25  Sustained Support Services (Mr Graham Puckering) o Learning disabilities o Mental health localities o Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) – the Council undertook thousands of assessments each year and new legislation was expected to come into effect soon o Community DoLS – needed to establish capacity but the new legislation was awaited o SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) – this was an advice and challenge service for parents to use. The team undertook this work so that the Children’s Services team was not ‘marking its own homework’  Direct Care & Provider Development (Ms Jan Major) o Extra care and supported living – there were 47 large care homes in the Borough, providing around 1,300 care beds (excluding supported living and extra care beds). Hillingdon had four extra care facilities. o Passenger transport – there was a possibility that this service would move to Children’s Services o Care home – the Council had created a care company and purchased a care home in 2025. Good progress had been made and Ms Taylor would be happy to come pack to provide Members with an update o Mortuary – this was an outstanding service with a capacity of 71 that also provided mortuary services and post mortems for the coroner in Ealing  Commissioning & Business Delivery (Ms Sarah Baker) o Brokerage and direct payments o Commissioning o Contract management o Technology enabled care  Public Health (Ms Sharon Stoltz) – the public health grant was paid to the Council to support public health functions only and a proportion of which had been ringfenced for statutory services such as sexual health, health checks, 0- 19 health services, vaccinations and smoking cessation. Public Health worked in conjunction with the GP Confederation on initiatives in relation to sports and physical activity and improvements to physical health (obesity, heart health, preventing cardiovascular disease, etc) o Sexual health services o Substance misuse o NHS health check programme o Child public health The focus for the Adult Social Care and Health directorate for the forthcoming year would be on prevention and early intervention and the provision of support for carers. Members queried whether the service areas got involved in housing queries where medical evidence had been provided to support their application. Ms Taylor advised that it depended on the situation. If a resident that was known to adult social care or who requested an assessment, it would not necessarily mean that they would be eligible for services. Residents could go online to do a self assessment, e.g., AskSARA. If a resident had no eligible needs, they might still be able to get some form of help. Ms Taylor worked closely with Mr Dan Kennedy, Corporate Director of Residents Services, as well as Ms Kelly. Members queried how success was evaluated. Ms Taylor advised that her service area was monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Council’s last CQC inspection had taken place in July 2024 so it was anticipated that the next one would take place towards the end of this year or beginning of next. Feedback had been collected from residents to establish what difference the services they had been provided had made to their lives. It was noted that the DATIX system used at Hillingdon Hospital to gather information on processes and errors was not used in the community to manage quality. The Council set clear priorities to manage demand for services at the front door but this was a big challenge within a tight budget when there was an increasing demand and an increase in costs. Concern was expressed about whether the Council was able to intervene when a vulnerable resident refused to engage in getting the support that they needed. Ms Taylor advised that DoLS were in place to enable adult social care to assess someone’s capacity to make informed decisions. When someone was vulnerable, a good social worker was essential as they could intervene to ensure that the individual accepted the help that they needed. There were times when the Council did need to step in, particularly when mental health assessments were needed. RESOLVED: That: 1. copies of the slides used by Ms Julie Kelly and Ms Sandra Taylor be circulated to Members by the Democratic Civic and Ceremonial Manager; and 2. the discussion be noted. 11. CORPORATE PARENTING PANEL UPDATE (Agenda Item 9) Members were encouraged to attend a Corporate Parenting Panel (CPP) meeting as they were thought to be a wonderful opportunity to be challenged by these young people. It was noted that Councillor Nick Denys would no longer be chairing the CPP meetings. The Committee put on record its thanks for his expert chairing of the CPP meetings and noted that the young people involved had really appreciated his contribution. RESOLVED: That: 1. the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting held on 19 March 2026 be agreed as a correct record; and 2. the Committee’s vote of thanks to the retiring Chair of the CPP (Councillor Nick Denys) be noted. 12. CORPORATE PARENTING PANEL MEMBERSHIP 2026-2027 (Agenda Item 10) Consideration was given to the Corporate Parenting Panel membership. RESOLVED: That: 1. Councillors Ekta Gohil, Jane Palmer and Jan Sweeting be appointed to be the permanent Elected Members on the Panel on the basis of political balance (2 Con; 1 Lab); 2. Councillors John Garner, Anil Taneja and Hedson Farinha De Castro be appointed to be named substitutes on the basis of political balance (2 Con; 1 Lab); 3. upon the recommendation of the Chair of this Committee, Councillor Ekta Gohil be confirmed as the Chair of the Corporate Parenting Panel and Councillor Jane Palmer as the Vice-Chair; and 4. the Terms of Reference of the Corporate Parenting Panel be noted. 13. CABINET FORWARD PLAN MONTHLY MONITORING (Agenda Item 11) Mr Mark Braddock, the Council’s Senior Democratic Services Manager, advised that the Age Friendly Plan report (120) had been deferred from the Cabinet meeting on 25 June 2026 to a future meeting. It was suggested that the July Cabinet meeting seemed to have a lot of health-related reports scheduled for consideration and that there would be little time between the Select Committee’s meeting on 21 July 2026 the Cabinet meeting on 23 July 2026 to be able to consider these reports. Mr Braddock advised that a number of reports had been moved around on the Forward Plan that that this would be reflected in the next issue of the document. RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted. 14. WORK PROGRAMME (Agenda Item 12) Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme. It was recognised that the Committee had a large remit and there were only eight meetings scheduled for this municipal year (one of which was today’s meeting). Two of the remaining meetings would be used to fulfil the Committee’s health scrutiny function which meant that there would only be another five meetings to hold witness sessions for a major review (usually undertaken across three to four meetings) and to receive any reports on matters falling within the Committee’s remit. Insofar as major and minor review topics were concerned, it was suggested that the following be considered: o Pharmacies / Pharmacy First (PF) (major or minor) – the PF initiative had been introduced to reduce the pressure on GPs and the hospital and consideration could be given to whether this was working for residents in the community; o Child immunisations (major or minor); and o London Ambulance Service (LAS) (minor) – whilst handover times at Hillingdon Hospital were good, consideration could be given to the dispatch process. It was agreed that the Committee would undertake a major review of pharmacies / Pharmacy First. The Democratic, Civic and Ceremonial Manager would draft scoping reports for possible minor reviews of child immunisations and LAS so that Members could then decide which of these topics they would like to pursue. Concern was expressed that the Work Programme had not included all of the issues that had previously been set out on the Work Programmes of the two Select Committees that had been merged to create the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee. Members were advised that the Committee’s time would be limited so it would need to be more selective about the reports that were included on its agendas (there were some reports that were for information only so did not have to come to the Committee). There would be some information that could possibly be shortened and combined with other topics and some of the topics mentioned by Members during the meeting had already been included on the Work Programme. Members were advised that the Select Committees would no longer be receiving finance reports as these would be considered by the Audit, Finance and Performance Committee. The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would be asked to include an update on the hospital redevelopment as part of its presentation at the health updates meeting on 22 September 2026. RESOLVED: That: 1. the Democratic, Civic and Ceremonial Manager draft scoping reports for possible minor reviews into child immunisations and the London Ambulance Service; and 2. the Work Programme be agreed. The meeting, which commenced at 6.30 pm, closed at 7.55 pm. These are the minutes of the above meeting. For more information on any of the resolutions please contact Nikki O'Halloran on nohalloran@hillingdon.gov.uk. Circulation of these minutes is to Councillors, officers, the press and members of the public.

Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public HILLINGDON ADVICE PARTNERSHIP UPDATE Committee name Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee Officer reporting Gary Collier – Adult Social Care and Health, Hillingdon Council Papers with report Appendix 1 – Performance Management Framework Ward All HEADLINES In 2025/26 the Health and Social Care Select Committee undertook a review of the Council’s approach to early intervention and prevention in Adult Social Care. At its meeting in June 2025 the Committee held a witness session involving representatives from local voluntary and community organisations that had been awarded contract by the Council to deliver preventative services to Hillingdon residents. The Hillingdon Advice Partnership as providers of the Information, Advice, Guidance and Wellbeing Support Service under a contract awarded by the Council in March 2025 and led by Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent attended the session to make the Committee aware of the new service. As the service had been operational only a few weeks before the witness session, the Committee requested a twelve-month update. This report supports a witness session that provides the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee with a progress report on the development and delivery of the service since June 2025. It will be attended by the following external witnesses:  Julian Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent  Megan Redhouse, Services and Development Manager, Nucleus Legal Advice RECOMMENDATIONS That the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee: a) question witnesses on their presentation. b) question officers on any commissioning or contracting issues. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Background: Contract Award 1. Cabinet awarded a contract for the provision of the Information, Advice, Guidance and Wellbeing Support Service to Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent as lead provider on behalf of the Hillingdon Advice Partnership (HAP) at its meeting on 13th March 2025. The contract is for a five-year period from 2nd June 2025 but with an option to extend for up to three further years, i.e., a maximum of eight years. 2. The total value of the contract for the initial five-year period is £3,749,157 (or £749,831.32 per year). The total value for the extension period would be £2,249,494. The total potential value of the contract would therefore be £5,998,651. Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public About HAP 3. In addition to Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent, HAP includes the following local voluntary and community sector organisations:  Bell Farm Christian Centre Welcome - Bell Farm Christian Centre  Disability Advice and Support Hillingdon (DASH) Home | Disability Does Not Mean Inability  Nucleus Legal Advice Centre Nucleus Legal Advice Centre - Free Benefits, Debt, Housing and Employment Law Advice 4. Links to partner websites above offer the Committee insight into the collective depth of local knowledge alongside breadth of expertise that spans a wide range of resident groups and areas of specialist advice provision. The following link provides the Committee with equivalent information about Age UK Brent Welcome to Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent About the Service Core Service Aims 5. The service is designed to contribute to Hillingdon's wider objectives of:  Supporting thriving and healthy households.  Improving resident wellbeing.  Reducing inequalities.  Preventing escalation into crisis.  Making better use of community and voluntary sector expertise.  Providing a coordinated advice infrastructure across the borough. Service Scope 6. The service provides free information, advice and guidance to Hillingdon residents aged 18 and above. Covering, but not limited to: • Welfare benefits (income maximisation) • Housing (supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homlessness) • Finances and debt (regulated advice) • Care and support needs • Health and wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional) • Tackling health inequality and food poverty 7. The service provides early advice and intervention before issues escalate helping residents remain independent and reducing the need for more intensive statutory services. 8. The service supports adults with:  Physical disabilities  Learning disabilities  Autism or ADHD  Mental health needs  Dementia  Other advice and support needs affecting wellbeing and independence 9. The service operates using a strengths-based approach with the aim of optimising resident resilience and autonomy. Where residents have the potential to identify their Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public own solutions, they are provided with the tools to support this. Service Access 10. The service operates an open access referral system, which means that residents can self-refer or professionals can make referrals on their behalf. Referrals can be made online through the following link Hillingdon Advice Partnership | Confidential Advice, Information & Support. Residents who prefer to access the service via phone can do so between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday 020 8044 5676. For older residents, callers outside these hours are offered the option to access the Age UK national advice line which operates from 8am to 7pm 365 days per year (0800 678 1602). Face to face drop- in sessions are also offered at a range of venues across the borough. Year 1 Headlines 11. Figures for the period from April to June 2026 are currently being collated but the headlines for the period from June 2025 (service launch) to 31 March 2026 are set out below:  Number of people supported: 3,326 clients across 4,418 cases  Number of repeat contacts: over 16,000 repeat interactions, reflecting complexity of need.  Direct financial gains for residents secured: £527,000+  Estimated health and care system cost avoidance value: between £1.1m and £1.2m 12. Between June 2025 and March 2026, the service has experienced significant demand growth:  Number of service users increased by 40%.  Number of cases increased by 68%  Repeat engagement increased by 106%, indicating rising complexity and increased awareness and reach. Performance Framework 13. The key performance indicators including outcome and output measures are shown in Appendix 1. The Committee will be provided with case studies to illustrate some of the range of issues that the service is supporting residents with. Suggested Key Lines of Enquiry 14. Lines of enquiry that the Committee may wish to explore include: a) How are referrals managed between HAP partners? b) What arrangements are in place for face-to-face contact with the service? c) What are the main successes/achievements over the last 12 months? d) Are there any learning points from the experience of the last twelve months that will shape the future? e) What is the profile of the residents accessing the service? Is there anything from this data that is shaping service priorities? f) What are the service priorities for 2026/27, i.e., April 2026 to March 2027? g) What are the main drivers of the rising complexity of need supported by the service? h) What are the key challenges facing the service over the next two years and what is the approach to addressing them? Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 15. There are no legal implications arising from this report. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 16. The contract-related costs of the contracts are addressed in the body of the report. There are no direct financial implications arising from this report. BACKGROUND PAPERS None Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public Appendix 1 Performance Management Framework Outcome Service Provider Reporting Requirements 1 Residents have access to good quality Information, Advice Guidance and Wellbeing Support services to help them make informed choices and live independently 80% of residents who feel they can make informed choices and have a greater knowledge of services/support which enable them to live independently. 2 Residents have knowledge of the range of services and assets that are available to support them in improving and maintaining their lifestyle, health and wellbeing. 80% of residents who are aware of the assets and services in Hillingdon that would improve and maintain their health and wellbeing. 3 Residents are in control of their finances and have a good financial wellbeing, by maximising their income, managing debts and accessing the correct benefit entitlement. 90% of residents who feel supported to manage their finances. 90% income generated due to the support of the Service Provider 4 Residents are supported to feel more connected to their local community 80% of residents who can access more community activities than before the start of the support. 5 Residents are supported to access training and develop skills to enhance their employment opportunities 80% of residents who feel more informed and prepared to enhance their employment opportunities 6 Inequalities in the quality of life in different parts of the borough are tackled by a stronger focus on local needs. 85% of residents who feel that clear and accessible information is available and enables them to access the service This includes providing information in different formats e.g. large print and languages as required. 7 Residents are supported in a variety of ways to reduce the number who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness 75% of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness feel more supported and able to manage their housing affairs 8 Residents are supported in a variety of ways to address food poverty 75% of people who are experiencing food poverty feel more supported 9 Residents are supported to use digital channels (website/media etc.) and feel informed when it comes to digital safety awareness 90% of people supported to access information online, undertake assessments or applications online feel more confident and aware of digital safety. 10 Residents maintain good health and wellbeing (physically, mentally, and emotionally) and are prepared for the future 60% of people feel safe, healthy, active and physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the future. 11 People who may typically require longer-term support are able to 75% of people who feel informed and empowered to make decisions about their Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public Outcome Service Provider Reporting Requirements support themselves independently or with the help of their peers, with increased connectedness to the community and self-support networks. long-term support. 12 Local voluntary, public and private sector organisations work together more effectively to deliver Information, Advice, Guidance and Wellbeing Support to people that live in Hillingdon. All partners working together with an open, honest relationships – able to give and receive feedback from colleagues, other service providers and the Council. Evidence of networking and partnership working. Key Performance Indicators Quarterly reporting Number of contacts received Source of referrals Breakdown of demographics for residents receiving support Category of enquiry Number of open enquiries Number of closed enquiries Number of residents supported with complex situations. Value of benefits identified Resident satisfaction rates Details of compliments and / or complaints

Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee Review Scoping Report – 2026/2027 A Review of Pharmacies and Pharmacy First in Hillingdon 1. OBJECTIVES Aim of the review At its meeting on 23 June 2026, the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee elected to undertake a major review of pharmacies and the Pharmacy First service in Hillingdon. This review aims to look at the services provided by pharmacies to alleviate the pressure on primary care, including the Pharmacy First initiative , to determine what impact has been made and consider ways in which pharmacy services can further help to alleviate pressure on primary care. Terms of Reference The following Terms of Reference are suggested for the review, subject to any changes agreed by the Committee: 1. to gain a n understanding of the services currently provided by pharmacies in Hillingdon; 2. to understand how pharmacy services are commissioned and by which organisations; 3. to review the current availability of support for pharmacies; 4. to establish what services have already been commissioned from pharmacies to alleviate pressure on primary care and identify how successful these services have been in achieving this objective; 5. to explore the possibility of pharmacies providing additional services to alleviate the pressure on primary care; and 6. subject to the Committee’s findings, to draw conclusions, propose actions and make service and policy recommendations to the decision-making Cabinet (which may then refer formally to a relevant external body). 2. BACKGROUND Context and Key Information Pharmacies (also known as chemists) are healthcare facilities where medicinal drugs are prepared, dispensed and sold. These establishments serve as crucial points of access for individuals seeking medications, health advice and various pharmaceutical serv ices. Managed by licensed pharmacists, pharmacies ensure the safe and effective use of medication, adhering to regulatory standards and professional guidelines. Healthcare commissioning is the process by which the health needs of a population are assessed, the responsibility is taken for ensuring that appropriate services are available to meet these needs and the accountability for the associated health outcomes is established. Since April 2013, a number of commissioners have had a role in commissioning services from community pharmacies. The following general rules apply, but there are grey areas which may result in local variation on which commissioner takes a lead in commissioning a service:  Local NHS England teams - commission all services in the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), i.e. Essential, Advanced and Enhanced Services. Other commissioners cannot commission these services from community pharmacies. Enhanced Services are those pharmaceutical services that are listed in The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2013. Other commissioners may choose to commission some of these Enhanced Services from community pharmacies, but they would be classed as locally commissioned services and not Enhanced Services.  Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) - the services that the ICB commissions include planned hospital care, rehabilitative care, urgent and emergency care (including out -of-hours and accident and emergency services), most community health services, maternity services, mental health and learning disability services. From community pharmacy, ICBs may wish to commission services such as minor ailments services and palliative care schemes.  Local Authorities (LAs) - have responsibility for commissioning a wide range of services, including most public health services and social care services. The following public health services provided by community pharmacies would be commissioned by local authorities:  Supervised consumption;  Needle and syringe programme;  NHS Health Check;  EHC and contraceptive services;  Sexual health screening services;  Stop smoking;  Chlamydia testing and treatment;  Weight management; and  Alcohol screening and brief interventions. LAs will use their own contracts or the standard public health contract to commission services from community pharmacies. There are a small number of circumstances where a public health service is commissioned by another organisation, e.g. NHS England commissions vaccination services from GPs, community pharmacies and other providers. There may also be circumstances where ICBs may wish to be involved in commissioning a public health service, due to the impact the service may have on the development or management of long-term conditions. This may involve co-commissioning a service, which is likely to happen on a more regula r basis as a result of the full introduction of the Better Care Fund in 2015/16. Community Pharmacy England believes that some public health services (which are widely commissioned at a local level ) could be more effectively and efficiently commissioned within the national Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). However, the Government’s localisation agenda and the current commissioning landscape, where NHS England commissions the CPCF but LAs hold funds for public health services, means that it is unlikely that such services could be commissioned via the national CPCF in the near future. What Services are Provided at Pharmacies? Pharmacies offer a wide range of services beyond the mere dispensing of medications. Key services include:  Prescription Dispensing: Preparing and providing prescribed medications to patients.  Over-the-Counter (OTC) Sales: Supplying non -prescription medications and health products.  Health Advice and Consultations : Providing guidance on the safe use of medications, managing minor ailments and preventive health measures.  Vaccinations: Administering immunisations for flu, COVID -19 and other preventable diseases.  New Medicine Service (NMS) : providing support for people with specific l ong-term conditions newly prescribed a medicine to help improve medicines adherence  Health Screenings: Offering services such as blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks and diabetes screenings.  Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS): o Providing initiation and on-going supply of oral contraceptives, and o Free access to emergency contraception pills; and  Smoking Cessation Programmes: Supporting individuals in their efforts to quit smoking through counselling and nicotine replacement therapies. The cost of commissioning pharmacies can vary significantly based on the scope of services provided, the geographical location and the contractual agreements in place. In the UK, the NHS allocates a substantial budget to community pharmacies, covering dispensing fees, service payments and additional reimbursements for specific health programmes. Precise financial figures are often determined through detailed budget planning and negotiations between healthcare authorities and pharmacy representatives. What is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC)? The local organisation for community pharmacy is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) – there are around 55 LPCs throughout England. The LPC is the focus for all community pharmacists and community pharmacy owners and is an independent and representat ive group. The LPC works locally with NHS England Area Teams, ICBs, local authorities and other healthcare professionals to help plan healthcare services. The LPC negotiates and discusses pharmacy services with commissioners and is available to give advice to community pharmacy contractors and others wanting to know more about local pharmacy. LPCs liaise closely with their medical equivalent the Local Medical Committees (LMCs) so that GPs and pharmacists can work together to deliver services to patients. LPCs also work closely with Local Dental Committees (LDCs) and Local Optical Committees (LOCs). What is a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment? Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs) have been in place for 20+ years and provide a comprehensive evaluation process that determines the local needs for pharmaceutical services within a specific area or population. It aims to ensure that the provision of these services aligns with the healthcare needs of the community. PNAs are particularly crucial for healthcare planners, policymakers and service providers as they help in the strategic planning and development of pharmacy services, ensuring that resources are utili sed effectively and efficiently. One of the primary objectives of a PNA is to identify gaps in existing pharmaceutical services. This involves assessing the availability, accessibility and quality of current services and determining whether they meet the population's needs. By highlighting these gaps, PNAs provide a foundation for developing strat egies to address unmet needs, improve service delivery and enhance patient outcomes. It should be noted that a gap in existing pharmaceutical services was identified some time ago in the Heathrow Villages as, although geographically close, the pharmacies located in the airport terminals are not accessible for residents. A PNA serves as an essential tool for healthcare commissioners and providers, guiding the development and commissioning of new services or the modification of existing ones. It ensures t hat decisions are evidence -based, taking into account the specific needs of the population, demographic changes and emerging health trends. This targeted approach helps in optimising resource allocation and improving the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. Hillingdon’s current PNA can be found at: https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/strategies-policies- projects/needs-assessments. How Do Pharmacies Alleviate Pressure On Primary Care And What Else Could Be Done Pharmacies play a critical role in alleviating demand pressures on primary care by:  Managing Minor Ailments: Providing treatment and advice for minor health issues, reducing the need for GP consultations.  Offering Preventive Services: Administering vaccinations and health screenings, thereby preventing more serious health issues that would require GP intervention.  Medication Management: Conducting medication reviews and ensuring proper medication use, thus preventing complications that might necessitate a GP visit.  Health Education: Educating the public on health maintenance and disease prevention, which helps reduce the incidence of illnesses that would burden GPs. Pharmacy First The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which started in October 2019. The consultation service enabled patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply. The new Pharmacy First service was launched on 31 January 2024 and adds to the existing consultation service. It enables community pharmacies to com plete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways. In May 2023, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care announced a Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care. Part of the plan include enabling patients to get certain prescription medications directly from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment. It was anticipated that t his new service would free up GP appointments for patients who needed them most and would give people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high-quality healthcare. It include d the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they got worse. It is anticipated that this will also reduce the number of residents presenting at Hillingdon Hospital ’s Accident and Emergency / Urgent Treatment Centre when they could have been seen by the Pharmacy First service or a GP. The Pharmacy First initiative was launched to make greater use of community pharmacists’ skills and opportunities to engage patients and ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time. As part of the initiative, pharmacists can help patients to manage the following seven conditions where not complex across various age ranges (patients outside these age ranges should consult their GP for treatment):  Earache: Ages 1 to 17 years  Impetigo: Ages 1 year and over  Infected insect bites: Ages 1 year and over  Shingles: Ages 18 years and over  Sinusitis: Ages 12 years and over  Sore throat: Ages 5 years and over  Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women: Ages 16 to 64 years Patients can access the Pharmacy First service by attending or conta cting the pharmacy directly without the need for referral (although they can also be referred by other organisations including general practice, urgent and emergency care settings, and NHS 111 (online and via telephone)). Pharmacies have private consultation rooms that can be used for consultations with patients, and pharmacists can see patients for clinical services without always needing an appointment. After a consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy will send a notification to the patient’s GP on the same day or on the following working day. Pharmacies have the potential to further reduce the demand pressure on GPs by expanding their scope of services. Potential areas for enhancement include:  Chronic Disease Management: Taking on a greater role in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma through regular monitoring and patient education.  Advanced Clinical Services: Providing more advanced clinical services such as minor injury treatment, thus diverting cases that do not require a GP's expertise.  Telehealth Services: Implementing telehealth consultations to offer advice and support remotely, thereby increasing accessibility and convenience for patients.  Collaborative Care Models: Working closely with GPs and other healt hcare professionals to deliver integrated care plans that optimi se patient outcomes and resource utilisation. Patient Experience Community pharmacies play an increasingly important role within the local health and care system, providing accessible health care advice, medicines optimisation, and an expanding range of clinical services closer to where residents live. For many people, pharmacies are the most accessible point of contact with the NHS, often offering timely support without the need for an appoi ntment. As the role of community pharmacy continues to evolve through initiatives such as Pharmacy First, it is important that any review considers not only the contribution pharmacies make to reducing pressure on general practice and urgent care services, but also the experiences of the residents who rely on them. Understanding whether residents are aware of the services available, know when it is appropriate to use Pharmacy First instead of their GP and have confidence in the care provided will be essen tial to assessing the effectiveness of the service. Consideration needs to be given to potential barriers, including opening hours, transport, digital exclusion, language, disability, consultation privacy and awareness of the services offered by individual pharmacies. Previous resident feedback has highlighted issues relating to communication between GP practices and pharmacies, repeat prescriptions, medicine shortages, variations in commissioned services and a lack of clear information about which pharmacies provide specific services. The review therefore presents an opportunity to test the local impact of Pharmacy First by examining service activity, referral pathways and residents' experiences, rather than assuming its effectiveness. Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders (including Pharmacy First users and non-users, community pharmacists, GP practice representatives and voluntary and community organisations ) could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how pharmacy services are experienced in practice and whether they are meeting the needs of all residents consistently and equitably. Executive Responsibilities The portfolio Cabinet Member responsible is Councillor Susan O’Brien. 3. EVIDENCE & ENQUIRY Potential witnesses (including service users) Witnesses will be identified by the Committee in consultation with relevant officers and may include:  Service users  Local Pharmaceutical Committee  Community Pharmacists  Voluntary Sector Organisations  West and North London Integrated Care Board  Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, LBH  Dr Ritu Prasad, Chair of The Confederation Hillingdon CIC  Keith Spencer, Managing Director, Hillingdon Health and Care Partners  Samreen Nawshin, Healthwatch Hillingdon Lines of Enquiry Lines of enquiry can be expanded as the review progresses or included in relevant witness session reports. However, lines of enquiry may include: 1. What community pharmacy services are currently commissioned in Hillingdon? 2. How do serv ices provided by pharmacies in Hillingdon alleviate the pressure on primary care? 3. Are the current pharmacy services being used as well as they could by residents? If not, how could this be improved? 4. What additional services could be provided by pharmacies to alleviate pressure on primary care? 5. How is the quality of pharmacy service provision monitored and what action is taken in response to concerns about quality and complaints? 6. How aware are Hillingdon residents of Pharmacy First and other pharmacy services? 7. What is the service user experience in relation to the availability / accessibility of services? 8. What prevents residents from using pharmacies as a first point of contact? 9. How is the scope of provision geographically located and does this meet the needs of residents? Are there particular communities or areas of the Borough where pharmacy access is weaker? 10. Are services available consistently across Hillingdon, including evenings and weekends? 11. How are pharmacy-related complaints, concerns, and pat ient feedback captured and acted on? Surveys, site-visits or other fact-finding events Such opportunities will be identified as the review progresses. Future information that may be required Further information may be identified as the review progresses. 4. REVIEW PLANNING & TIMETABLE Proposed timeframe and milestones for the review: Meeting Date Action Purpose / theme Witnesses / officers attending 21 July 2026 Agree Scoping Report Information and analysis TBC 13 October 2026 Witness Session 1 Information and analysis TBC 12 November 2026 Witness Session 2 Information and analysis TBC 12 January 2027 Witness Session 3 Information and analysis - To discuss key findings and identify potential recommendations TBC Outside the committee – workshop / survey / networking session / consultation / informal meeting with users, etc... 16 February 2027 Agree recommendations To agree recommendations 11 March 2027 Approval of draft final report To agree draft final report to Cabinet 29 April 2027 Final report to be presented to Cabinet Resource requirements The review will be undertaken within existing resources. Equalities impact The 2010 Equality Act outlines the provisions of the Public Sector Equalities Duty which requires Public Bodies to have due regard to the need to:  eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.  advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups.  foster good relations between people from different groups. The broad purpose of this duty is to integrate considerations of equality into day business and keep them under review in decision making, the design of policies and the delivery of services. There are no equality impact issues relating to the matters set out in this report. When analysing information on victims, offenders or location of crime and ASB generally, the protected characteristics are recorded, analysed and disproportionate trends identified when planning the appropriate strategic and operational intervention. Background Papers / further reading None.

Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public CABINET FORWARD PLAN Committee name Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee Officer reporting Nikki O’Halloran, Democratic Services Papers with report Appendix A – Latest Forward Plan Ward As shown on the Forward Plan HEADLINES To monitor the Cabinet’s latest Forward Plan which sets out key decisions and other decisions to be taken by the Cabinet collectively and Cabinet Members individually over the coming year. The report sets out the actions available to the Committee. RECOMMENDATION That the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee notes the Cabinet Forward Plan. SUPPORTING INFORMATION The Cabinet Forward Plan is published monthly, usually around the first or second week of each month. It is a rolling document giving the required public notice of future key decisions to be taken. Should a later edition of the Forward Plan be published after this agenda has been circulated, Democratic Services will update the Committee on any new items or changes at the meeting. As part of its Terms of Reference, each Select Committee should c onsider the Forward Plan and, if it deems necessary, comment as appropriate to the decision -maker on the items listed which relate to services within its remit. For reference, the Forward Plan helpfully details which Select Committee’s remit covers the relevant future decision item listed. The Select Committee’s monitoring role of the Forward Plan can be undertaken in a variety of ways, including both pre-decision and post-decision scrutiny of the items listed. The provision of advance information on future items listed (potentially also draft reports) to the Committee in advance will often depend upon a variety of factors including timing or feasibility, and ultimately any such req uest would rest with the relevant Cabinet Member to decide. However, the 2019 Protocol on Overview & Scrutiny and Cabinet Relations (part of the Hillingdon Constitution) does provide guidance to Cabinet Members to:  Actively support the provision of relevan t Council information and other requests from the Committee as part of their work programme; and  Where feasible, provide opportunities for committees to provide their input on forthcoming executive reports as set out in the Forward Plan to enable wider pr e-decision scrutiny (in addition to those statutorily required to come before committees , i.e. policy framework documents – see paragraph below). As mentioned above, there is both a constitutional and statutory requirement for Select Committees to provide comments on the Cabinet’s draft budget and policy framework proposals after pub lication. These are automatically scheduled in advance to multi -year work programmes. Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public Therefore, in general, the Committee may consider the following actions on specific items listed on the Forward Plan: Committee action When How 1 To provide specific comments to be included in a future Cabinet or Cabinet Member report on matters within its remit. As part of its pre-decision scrutiny role, this would be where the Committee wishes to provide its influence and views on a particular matter within the formal report to the Cabinet or Cabinet Member before the decision is made. This would usually be where the Committee has previously considered a draft report or the topic in detail, or where it considers it has sufficient information already to provide relevant comments to the decision-maker. These would go within the standard section in every Cabinet or Cabinet Member report called “Select Committee comments”. The Cabinet or Cabinet Member would then consider these as part of any decision they make. 2 To request further information on future reports listed under its remit. As part of its pre-decision scrutiny role, this would be where the Committee wishes to discover more about a matter within its remit that is listed on the Forward Plan. Whilst such advance information can be requested from officers, the Committee should note that information may or may not be available in advance due to various factors, including timescales or the status of the drafting of the report itself and the formulation of final recommendation(s). Ultimately, the provision of any information in advance would be a matter for the Cabinet Member to decide. This would be considered at a subsequent Select Committee meeting. Alternatively, information could be circulated outside the meeting if reporting timescales require this. Upon the provision of any information, the Select Committee may then decide to provide specific comments (as per 1 above). 3 To request the Cabinet Member considers providing a draft of the report, if feasible, for the Select Committee to consider prior to it being considered formally for decision. As part of its pre-decision scrutiny role, this would be where the Committee wishes to provide an early steer or help shape a future report to Cabinet, e.g., on a policy matter. Whilst not the default position, Select Committees do occasionally receive draft versions of Cabinet reports prior to their formal consideration. The provision of such draft reports in advance may depend upon different factors, e.g., the timings required for that decision. Ultimately any request to see a draft report early would need the approval of the relevant Cabinet Member. Democratic Services would contact the relevant Cabinet Member and Officer upon any such request. If agreed, the draft report would be considered at a subsequent Select Committee meeting to provide views and feedback to officers before they finalise it for the Cabinet or Cabinet Member. An opportunity to provide specific comments (as per 1 above) is also possible. 4 To identify a forthcoming report that may merit a post- decision review at a later Select Committee meeting As part of its post-decision scrutiny and broader reviewing role, this would be where the Select Committee may wish to monitor the implementation of a certain Cabinet or Cabinet Member decision listed/taken at a later stage, i.e., to review its effectiveness after a period of 6 months. The Committee should note that this is different to the use of the post-decision scrutiny ‘call-in’ power which seeks to ask the Cabinet or Cabinet Member to formally re-consider a decision up to 5 working days after the decision notice has been issued. This is undertaken via the new Scrutiny Call-in App members of the relevant Select Committee. The Committee would add the matter to its multi- year work programme after a suitable time has elapsed upon the decision expected to be made by the Cabinet or Cabinet Member. Relevant service areas may be best to advise on the most appropriate time to review the matter once the decision is made. Health and Social Care Select Committee – 29 April 2025 Classification: Public BACKGROUND PAPERS  Protocol on Overview & Scrutiny and Cabinet relations adopted by Council 12 September 2019  Scrutiny Call-in App

Status Consultation / Scrutiny Ref Business Item Further information Ward(s) NEW ITEM CABINET meeting Cabinet Member Shareholder Committee Full COUNCIL Cabinet Member(s) Responsible Relevant Committee Report Author Corporate Director Responsible Public or Private (with reason) Consultation related to any decision & planned scrutiny committee engagement 120 Age Friendly Plan Following Cabinet's consideration of a draft Age Friendly Delivery Plan for older people in December 2025 and further consultation and engagement on this, Cabinet will consider approval of the Plan and consider annual updates on its progress each May. N/A 23 July Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Sarah Durner / Gary Collier Sandra Taylor Public Public consultation 150 Experts at Hands Therapy Contract Cabinet will consider procurement matters with regard to the Experts at Hands Therapy service to be commissioned externally as part of national SEND reforms. “Experts at Hand” is a DfE ‑ funded programme (from April 2026) that gives councils funding to design a new local support offer for SEND. N/A 23 July Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Gary Binstead / Abi Preston Julie Kelly Private (3) 142 Sexual Health Contract This report to Cabinet will consider a six-year contract extension of the existing integrated sexual health service contract. N/A 23 July Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Nick Sinclair / Sharon Stoltz Sandra Taylor Private (3) 146 Contract for the Provision of Child Health Services. The Cabinet will consider a variation to the Collaboration Agreement with the NHS provider to account for the national pay award under Agenda for Change for NHS staff together with additional investment into the 0-19 Healthy Child Service to support the delivery of Best Start in Life priorities. N/A 23 July Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Andy Kimber / Sharon Stoltz Sandra Taylor Private (3) 63 Carers Strategy Update Cabinet will receive a progress report on the Carers Strategy and Delivery Plan and the priorities going forward. N/A 23 July Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Gary Collier Sandra Taylor Public Select Committee SI Reports from Select Committees Reports, findings and recommendations for consideration by the Cabinet, when referred from the appropriate Committee. All 23 July TBC TBC Democratic Services Public SI Public Preview of matters to be considered in private A report to Cabinet to provide maximum transparency to residents on the private matters to be considered later in Part 2 of the Cabinet meeting and agenda. TBC 23 July TBC TBC Democratic Services Public SI Cabinet decisions by the Leader of the Council As there is no Cabinet meeting in August, the Leader of the Council may take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet or key decisions under urgency procedures, if required. Various Cllr Steve Tuckwell TBC Democratic Services Public / Private - TBD Various 148 Pathways for Young People Can will consider an award of contracts for Pathways for Young People (Arrangements for Staying Close and Supported Accommodation Provision). All 17 September Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Gary Binstead/ Poppy Reddy/Sally Offin Julie Kelly Private (3) Decision-Maker Cabinet / Committee Leads & Officers JULY 2026 AUGUST 2026 SEPTEMBER 2026 1 Status Consultation / Scrutiny Ref Business Item Further information Ward(s) NEW ITEM CABINET meeting Cabinet Member Shareholder Committee Full COUNCIL Cabinet Member(s) Responsible Relevant Committee Report Author Corporate Director Responsible Public or Private (with reason) Consultation related to any decision & planned scrutiny committee engagement Decision-Maker Cabinet / Committee Leads & Officers 155 Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement Cabinet will be asked to agree the agreement under section 75 of the National Health Service Act, 2006, between the Council and North West London Integrated Care that will give legal effect to the financial and partnership arrangements under the 2025/26 Better Care Fund Plan. This plan aims to support the independence of residence and prevent escalation of health and care needs. All 17 September Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Gary Collier Sandra Taylor Public 93 Stronger Families / Family Help Strategy The Cabinet Member will consider a strategy that aligns with emerging national reforms and strengthens the delivery of early help and family support across the borough. The strategy aims to modernise practice, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure services remain responsive to the diverse and evolving needs of children and families. A central element of this transformation is the redesign of the Stronger Families Early Help service in line with the Family Help model. This model emphasises earlier, more effective intervention; seamless multi ‑ agency collaboration; and the empowerment of families to build resilience and reduce the need for statutory involvement. It also seeks to improve access to the right support at the right time, while embedding a child ‑ centred and whole ‑ family approach within all areas of practice. All September Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Antony Madden / Vali Danciu / Tehseen Kauser Julie Kelly Public SI The Hillingdon Care Company Ltd. Reporting The Shareholder Committee, comprising relevant Cabinet Members, will receive the Annual Accounts and Annual Business Plan for the Council's care services and trading company. N/A 17 September Shareholder Committee Members Children, Families, Health & Care TBC Dan Kennedy Private (3) 145 Provision of residential services for Children with disabilities Cabinet will consider proposals regarding the provision of residential services and accommodation for Children with learning disabilities. N/A NEW ITEM 22 October Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Alex Coman Julie Kelly Private (3) OCTOBER 2026 2 Status Consultation / Scrutiny Ref Business Item Further information Ward(s) NEW ITEM CABINET meeting Cabinet Member Shareholder Committee Full COUNCIL Cabinet Member(s) Responsible Relevant Committee Report Author Corporate Director Responsible Public or Private (with reason) Consultation related to any decision & planned scrutiny committee engagement Decision-Maker Cabinet / Committee Leads & Officers 132 Regional End to End Fostering model Cabinet is being asked to approve Hillingdon’s adoption of the Government’s new endto end fostering model published in February 2026. This involves aligning the borough’s fostering service with national reforms to grow the number of foster carers, strengthen support for families, simplify rules, improve assessments and allegations handling, and prioritise trusted relationships. Approval will allow Hillingdon to redesign its recruitment, assessment and approval processes to meet the new England ‑ wide standards - such as the proposed six ‑ month assessment timeframe and enhanced quality assurance. It will also enable fuller participation in strengthened regional arrangements, including expanded regional recruitment hubs and future Regional Care Cooperatives. N/A 22 October Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Alex Coman Julie Kelly Public 161 The Annual Report Of Adult and Child Safeguarding Arrangements This report provides the Cabinet with a summary of the activity undertaken by the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board and the Safeguarding Adults Board to address the identified local priorities. The Cabinet will consider this report and approve the activity and the local priorities for the two boards. All 22 October Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Alex Coman / Susan- Sidonia Gladish Sandra Taylor Public Select Committee consultation 151 Send Mediation Services Cabinet will consider the procurement of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) mediation services contracts, where councils buy- in an independent service to help resolve disputes with families about SEND decisions, to underpin statutory duties. N/A NEW ITEM 19 November Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Gary Binstead / R Verma Julie Kelly Private (3) SI School Governing Bodies, Instruments of Government and Governors / Authorising Academy Appointments To approve appointments, nominate appointments and make reappointments of local authority governors and to approve any changes to school governing body constitutions. To also authorise any Member to be a Governor or Director of an Academy. N/A Cabinet Member Decision - date TBC Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Helen Boundy Public SI School Redundancy Payments To consider requests for School Redundancy Payments and council funding of it, and decide whether to approve them on behalf of the Local Authority TBC Cabinet Member Decision - date TBC Cllr Susan O'Brien Children, Families, Health & Care Abi Preston Private (1,3,4) SI = Standard Item that may be considered each month/regularly The Cabinet's Forward Plan is an official document by the London Borough of Hillingdon, UK Schedule of Individual Cabinet Member Decisions that may be taken each month (standard items non key-decisions) NOVEMBER 2026 3

Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public WORK PROGRAMME Committee name Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee Officer reporting Nikki O’Halloran, Democratic Services Papers with report Appendix A – Work Programme Ward All HEADLINES To ena ble the Committee to no te future meeting dates and to for ward plan its work for the current municipal year. RECOMMENDATION: That the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee considers its Work Programme for the year and agrees any amendments. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Following the creation of the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee, the following meeting dates have been set with each meeting starting at 6.30pm: Meetings Room Tuesday 23 June 2026, 6.30pm CR5 Tuesday 21 July 2026, 6.30pm CR6 Tuesday 22 September 2026, 6.30pm CR5 Tuesday 13 October 2026, 6.30pm CR5 Thursday 12 November 2026, 6.30pm CR6 Tuesday 12 January 2027, 6.30pm CR6 Tuesday 16 February 2027, 6.30pm CR6 Thursday 11 March 2027, 6.30pm CR5 Tuesday 20 April 2027, 6.30pm CR6 Following the meeti ng on 23 June 2026 , Members discussed the volume of wo rk t hat the Committee would need to undertake and the need for an additional meeting in October 2026. To ensure that th is additional meeting fits around other scheduled meetings, it has been arranged for 13 October 2026. Implications on related Council policies The role of the Select Committees is to make recommendations on service changes and improvements to the Cabinet, who are responsible for the Council’s policy and direction. How this report benefits Hillingdon residents Select Committees directly engage residents in shaping policy and recommendations and the Committees seek to improve the way the Council provides services to residents. Financial Implications None at this stage. Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee – 21 July 2026 Part I – Public Legal Implications None at this stage. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL.

MULTI-YEAR WORK PROGRAMME 2026/27 May June July August September October November December January February March April No meeting 23 21 No meeting 22 13 12 No meeting 12 16 11 20 Major Review Topic: Pharmacy First Topic selection / scoping stage X X Witness / evidence / consultation stage X X X Findings, conclusions and recommendations X Final review report agreement X Target Cabinet reporting 29th Minor Review Topic Suggestions: Child immunisations (minor) London Ambulance Service (minor) Regular service & performance monitoring Cabinet Forward Plan Monthly Monitoring X X X X X X X X Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Health and Care X Health BCF Update Minor Injuries Unit Update CAMHS Update HHCP Place Based Service Delivery Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Hillingdon Hospital Redevelopment Update X X Health Updates X X Quality Accounts (outside of meetings) Social Care Hillingdon Advice Partnership Update X Supporting Carers Update X Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy X Social Care Reforms Children & Families Corporate Parenting Panel Minutes X X X X Corporate Parenting Panel Membership (annual) X Youth Justice Service Strategy 2024-2029 (to note) Families First Reforms and Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill X Schools School Place Planning: School Organisation Plan update (comment on report) X School Admissions Update (to note) X SEND Sufficiency Strategy, SEND Reforms and Alternative Provisions (to note) Annual Standards of Education in Hillingdon (to include Edu Standards, Music Hub and Edu Strategy) X Past review delivery Adult Social Care Early Intervention and Prevention (June 2026) GP Coverage (July 2025) X Persistent Absenteeism (September 2025) X Fostering (April 2026) Children, Famililes, Health & Care Select Committee

Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee Review Scoping Report – 2026/2027 A Review of Pharmacies and Pharmacy First in Hillingdon 1. OBJECTIVES Aim of the review At its meeting on 23 June 2026, the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee elected to undertake a major review of pharmacies and the Pharmacy First service in Hillingdon. This review aims to look at the services provided by pharmacies to alleviate the pressure on primary care, including the Pharmacy First initiative, to understand the contribution pharmacies make to the wider health and care system in Hillingdon and identify opportunities to s trengthen partnership working and maximise the benefits of pharmacy services for residents. Terms of Reference The following Terms of Reference are suggested for the review, subject to any changes agreed by the Committee: 1. to gain a n understanding of the services currently provided by pharmacies in Hillingdon; 2. to understand how pharmacy services are commissioned and by which organisations; 3. to review the current availability of support for pharmacies; 4. to establish what services have already been commi ssioned from pharmacies to alleviate pressure on primary care and identify how successful th ese services have been in achieving this objective; 5. to explore the possibility of pharmacies providing additional services to alleviate the pressure on primary care; and 6. subject to the Committee’s findings, to draw conclusions, propose actions and make service and policy recommendations to the decision-making Cabinet (which may then refer formally to a relevant external body). 2. BACKGROUND Context and Key Information Pharmacies (also known as chemists) are healthcare facilities where medicinal drugs are prepared, dispensed and sold. These establishments serve as crucial points of access for individuals seeking medications, health advice and various pharma ceutical services. Managed by licensed pharmacists, pharmacies ensure the safe and effective use of medication, adhering to regulatory standards and professional guidelines. Healthcare commissioning is the process by which the health needs of a populatio n are assessed, the responsibility is taken for ensuring that appropriate services are available to meet these needs and the accountability for the associated health outcomes is established. Since April 2013, a number of commissioners have had a role in commissioning services from community pharmacies. The following general rules apply, but there are grey areas which may result in local variation on which commissioner takes a lead in commissioning a service:  Local NHS England teams - commission all services in the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), i.e. Essential, Advanced and Enhanced Services. Other commissioners cannot commission these services from community pharmacies. Enhanced Services are those pharmaceutical services that are listed in The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2013. Other commissioners may choose to commission some of these Enhanced Services from community pharmacies, but they would be classed as locally commissioned services and not Enhanced Services.  Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) - the services that the ICB commissions include planned hospital care, rehabilitative care, urgent and emergency care (including out -of-hours and accident and emergency services), most community health services, maternity services, mental health and learning disability services. From community pharmacy, ICBs may wish to commission services such as minor ailments services and palliative care schemes.  Local Authorities (LAs) - have responsibility for commissioning a wide range of services, including most public health services and social care services. The following public health services provided by community pharmacies would be commissioned by local authorities:  Supervised consumption;  Needle and syringe programme;  NHS Health Check;  EHC and contraceptive services;  Sexual health screening services;  Stop smoking;  Chlamydia testing and treatment;  Weight management; and  Alcohol screening and brief interventions. LAs will use their own contracts or the standard public health contract to commission services from community pharmacies. There are a small number of circumstances where a public health service is commissioned by another organisation, e.g. NHS England commissions vaccination services from GPs, community pharmacies and other providers. There may also be circumstances where ICBs may wish to be involved in commissioning a public health service, due to the impact the service may have on the development or management of long-term conditions. This may involve co-commissioning a service, which is likely to happen on a more regular basis as a resu lt of the full introduction of the Better Care Fund in 2015/16. Community Pharmacy England believes that some public health services (which are widely commissioned at a local level ) could be more effectively and efficiently commissioned within the national Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). However, the Government’s localisation agenda and the current commissioning landscape, where NHS England commissions the CPCF but LAs hold funds for public health services, means that it is unlikely that such services could be commissioned via the national CPCF in the near future. Whilst the Council commissions a number of public health services delivered through community pharmacies, Pharmacy First is a nationally commissioned NHS service. The Council’s Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee will consider how local partners can work together to maximise the benefits of the service for Hillingdon residents. What Services are Provided at Pharmacies? Pharmacies offer a wide range of services beyond the mere dispensing of medications. Key services include:  Prescription Dispensing: Preparing and providing prescribed medications to patients.  Over-the-Counter (OTC) Sales: Supplying non -prescription medications and health products.  Health Advice and Consultations: Providing guidance on the safe use of medications, managing minor ailments and preventive health measures.  Vaccinations: Administering immunisations for flu, COVID -19 and other preventable diseases.  New Medicine Service (NMS) : providing support for people with specific l ong-term conditions newly prescribed a medicine to help improve medicines adherence  Health Screenings: Offering services such as blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol checks and diabetes screenings.  Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS): o Providing initiation and on-going supply of oral contraceptives, and o Free access to emergency contraception pills; and  Smoking Cessation Programmes: Supporting individuals in their efforts to quit smoking through counselling and nicotine replacement therapies. The cost of commissioning pharmacies can vary significantly based on the scope of services provided, the geographical location and the contractual agreements in place. In the UK, the NHS allocates a substantial budget to community pharmacies, covering dispensing fees, service payments and additional reimbursements for specific health programmes . Precise financial figures are often determined through detailed budget planning and negotiations between healthcare authorities and pharmacy representatives. What is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC)? The local organisation for community pharmacy is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) – there are around 55 LPCs throughout England. The LPC is the focus for all community pharmacists and community pharmacy owners and is an independent and representative group. The LPC works locally with NHS England Area Teams, ICBs, local authorities and other healthcare professionals to help plan healthcare services. The LPC negotiates and discusses pharmacy services with commissioners and is available to give advice to community pharmacy contractors and ot hers wanting to know more about local pharmacy. LPCs liaise closely with their medical equivalent the Local Medical Committees (LMCs) so that GPs and pharmacists can work together to deliver services to patients. LPCs also work closely with Local Dental Committees (LDCs) and Local Optical Committees (LOCs). What is a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment? Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs) have been in place for 20+ years and provide a comprehensive evaluation process that determines the local needs for pharmaceutical services within a specific area or population. It aims to ensure that the provision of these services aligns with the healthcare needs of the community. PNAs are particularly crucial for healthcare planners, policymakers and service providers as they help in the strategic planning and development of pharmacy services, ensuring that resources are utili sed effectively and efficiently. One of the primary objectives of a PNA is to identify gaps in existing pharmaceutical services. This involv es assessing the availability, accessibility and quality of current services and determining whether they meet the population's needs. By highlighting these gaps, PNAs provide a foundation for developing strategies to address unmet needs, improve service delivery and enhance patient outcomes. It should be noted that a gap in existing pharmaceutical services was identified some time ago in the Heathrow Villages as, although geographically close, the pharmacies located in the airport terminals are not acces sible for residents. A PNA serves as an essential tool for healthcare commissioners and providers, guiding the development and commissioning of new services or the modification of existing ones. It ensures that decisions are evidence -based, taking into account the specific needs of the population, demographic changes and emerging health trends. This targeted approach helps in optimising resource allocation and improving the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. Hillingdon’s current PNA can be foun d at: https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/strategies-policies- projects/needs-assessments. How Do Pharmacies Alleviate Pressure On Primary Care And What Else Could Be Done Pharmacies play a critical role in alleviating demand pressures on primary care by:  Managing Minor Ailments: Providing treatment and advice for minor health issues, reducing the need for GP consultations.  Offering Preventive Services: Administering vaccinations and health screenings, thereby preventing more serious health issues that would require GP intervention.  Medication Management: Conducting medication r eviews and ensuring proper medication use, thus preventing complications that might necessitate a GP visit.  Health Education: Educating the public on health maintenance and disease prevention, which helps reduce the incidence of illnesses that would burden GPs. Pharmacy First The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which started in October 2019. The consultation service enabled patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply. The new Pharmacy First service was launched on 31 January 2024 and adds to the existing consultation service. It enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways. In May 2023, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care announced a Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care. Part of the plan include enabling patients to get certain prescription medications directly from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment. It was anticipated that t his new service would free up GP appointments for patients who needed them most and would give people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high-quality healthcare. It include d the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they got worse. It is anticipated that this will also reduce the number of residents presenting at Hillingdon Hospital ’s Accident and Emergency / Urgent Treatment Centre when they could have been seen by the Pharmacy First service or a GP. The Pharmacy First initiative was launched to make greater use of community pharmacists’ skills and opportunities to engage patients and ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time. As part of the initiative, pharmacists can help patients to manage the following seven conditions where not complex across various age ranges (patients outside these age ranges should consult their GP for treatment):  Earache: Ages 1 to 17 years  Impetigo: Ages 1 year and over  Infected insect bites: Ages 1 year and over  Shingles: Ages 18 years and over  Sinusitis: Ages 12 years and over  Sore throat: Ages 5 years and over  Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women: Ages 16 to 64 years Patients can access the Pharmacy First service by attending or contacting the pharmacy directly without the need for referral (although they can also be referred by other organisations including general practice, urgent and emergency care settings, and NHS 111 (online and via telephone)). Pharmacies have private consultation rooms that can be used for consultations with patients, and pharmacists can see patients for clinical services without always needing an appointment. After a consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy will send a notification to the patient’s GP on the same day or on the following working day. Pharmacies have the potential to further reduce the demand pressure on GPs by expanding their scope of services. Potential areas for enhancement include:  Chronic Disease Management: Taking on a greater role in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma through regular monitoring and patient education.  Advanced Clinical Services: Providing more advanced clinical services such as minor injury treatment, thus diverting cases that do not require a GP's expertise.  Telehealth Services: Implementing telehealth consultations to offer advice and support remotely, thereby increasing accessibility and convenience for patients.  Collaborative Care Models: Working closely with GPs and other healthcare professionals to deliver integrated care plans that optimi se patient outcomes and resource utilisation. Patient Experience Community pharmacies play an increasingly important ro le within the local health and care system, providing accessible healthcare advice, medicines optimisation, and an expanding range of clinical services closer to where residents live. For many people, pharmacies are the most accessible point of contact wi th the NHS, often offering timely support without the need for an appointment. As the role of community pharmacy continues to evolve through initiatives such as Pharmacy First, it is important that any review considers not only the contribution pharmacies make to reducing pressure on general practice and urgent care services, but also the experiences of the residents who rely on them. Understanding whether residents are aware of the services available, know when it is appropriate to use Pharmacy First instead of their GP and have confidence in the care provided will be essential to assessing the effectiveness of the service. Consideration needs to be given to potential barriers, including opening hours, transport, digital exclusion, language, disability , consultation privacy and awareness of the services offered by individual pharmacies. Previous resident feedback has highlighted issues relating to communication between GP practices and pharmacies, repeat prescriptions, medicine shortages, variations in commissioned services and a lack of clear information about which pharmacies provide specific services. The review therefore presents an opportunity to understand the local implementation and impact of Pharmacy First by examining service activity, referral pathways and residents' experiences, rather than assuming its effectiveness. Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders (including Pharmacy First users and non-users, community pharmacists, GP practice representatives and voluntary and community organisations) could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how pharmacy services are experienced in practice and whether they are meeting the needs of all residents consistently and equitably. Executive Responsibilities The portfolio Cabinet Member responsible is Councillor Susan O’Brien. 3. EVIDENCE & ENQUIRY Potential witnesses (including service users) Witnesses will be identified by the Committee in consultation with relevant officers and may include:  Service users  Local Pharmaceutical Committee  Community Pharmacists  Voluntary Sector Organisations  West and North London Integrated Care Board  Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, LBH  Dr Ritu Prasad, Chair of The Confederation Hillingdon CIC  Keith Spencer, Managing Director, Hillingdon Health and Care Partners  Samreen Nawshin, Healthwatch Hillingdon Lines of Enquiry Lines of enquiry can be expanded as the review progresses or included in relevant witness session reports. However, lines of enquiry may include: 1. What community pharmacy services are currently commissioned in Hillingdon? 2. How do services provided by pharmacies in Hillingdon alleviate the pressure on primary care? 3. Are the current pharmacy services being used as well as they could by residents? If not, how could this be improved? 4. What additional services could be provided by pharmacies to alleviate pressure on primary care? 5. How is service quality and patient experience monitored across community pharmacy services and how is learning used to support continuous improvement? 6. How aware are Hillingdon residents of Pharmacy First and other pharmacy services? 7. What is the service user experience in relation to the availability / accessibility of services? 8. What prevents residents from using pharmacies as a first point of contact? 9. How is the scope of provision geographically located and does this meet the needs of residents? Are there particular communities or areas of the Borough where pharmacy access is weaker? 10. Are services available consistently across Hillingdon, including evenin gs and weekends? 11. How are pharmacy-related complaints, concerns, and patient feedback captured and acted on? Surveys, site-visits or other fact-finding events Such opportunities will be identified as the review progresses. Future information that may be required Further information may be identified as the review progresses. 4. REVIEW PLANNING & TIMETABLE Proposed timeframe and milestones for the review: Meeting Date Action Purpose / theme Witnesses / officers attending 21 July 2026 Agree Scoping Report Information and analysis TBC 13 October 2026 Witness Session 1 Information and analysis  Healthwatch Hillingdon  Service Users 12 November 2026 Witness Session 2 Information and analysis TBC 12 January 2027 Witness Session 3 Information and analysis - To discuss key findings and identify potential recommendations TBC Outside the committee – workshop / survey / networking session / consultation / informal meeting with users, etc... 16 February 2027 Agree recommendations To agree recommendations 11 March 2027 Approval of draft final report To agree draft final report to Cabinet Meeting Date Action Purpose / theme Witnesses / officers attending 29 April 2027 Final report to be presented to Cabinet Resource requirements The review will be undertaken within existing resources. Equalities impact The 2010 Equality Act outlines the provisions of the Public Sector Equalities Duty which requires Public Bodies to have due regard to the need to:  eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.  advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups.  foster good relations between people from different groups. The broad purpose of this duty is to integrate considerations of equality into day business and keep them under review in decision making, the design of policies and the delivery of services. There are no equality impact issues relating to the matters set out in this report. Background Papers / further reading None.