Argyll and Bute HSCP Clinical and Care Governance Committee held on 6 November 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 19 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of ARGYLL AND BUTE HSCP CLINICAL AND CARE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held BY MICOROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2025 Present: Graham Bell (Chair) Karen Leach Rebecca Helliwell Elizabeth Higgins David Gibson Alison McGrory Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Ross Moreland Attending: Eilidh Gallagher, Head of Primary Care Caroline Robertson, Head of Hospitals and Community Care Nicola Gillespie, Head of Complex Care and Registered Services Leah Smith, Interim Clinical Governance Manager Charlotte Craig, Business Improvement Manager Shona Williams, Senior Justice Manager Caroline Henderson, Lorn and the Islands Rural Hospital Manager Pauline Jespersen, Customer Service Manager, Hospital at Home Team Lynsey Innis, Committee and Democratic Services Officer 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. He noted that Elizabeth Higgins, Associate Nurse Director, would be retiring in December 2025, and took the opportunity to acknowledge her hard work and dedicated service over the years. On behalf of the Committee, he conveyed sincere thanks and best wishes to Ms Higgins for a long and happy retirement. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:- Evan Beswick, Chief Officer Fiona Broderick, Staffside Representative Dr Duncan Scott, Secondary Care Representative 2. MINUTE OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF THE ARGYLL AND BUTE HSCP CLINICAL AND CARE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, HELD ON 14 AUGUST 2025 The Minute of the previous meeting of the Argyll and Bute HSCP Clinical and Care Governance Committee, held on 14 August 2025, was approved as a correct record. 3. ACTION LOG Having given consideration to the Action Log, the Committee:-
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Action 1 (Hospital at Home Report) – Noted that this was on the agenda for discussion at item 9 (Lorn and Islands Hospital, Hospital @ Home (H@H) Project and Expansion across the HSCP). Action 2 (Overlap of inspections spreadsheet). Noted that this item was on the agenda for discussion at item 8 (Integrated Inspections Report). Action 3 (Issues with 2c practices). Noted that this item was on the agenda for discussion at item 7 (Service Delivery Challenges – 2C General Medical Practices). Action 4 (Integrated Services – Whole System Group). Noted that it had been agreed that this item would be presented directly to the IJB at its meeting in January 2026 and as such agreed that the item should be removed from the Action Log. Action 5 (Trends and Challenges of the current Vaccinations Programme). Noted that this item was on the agenda for discussion at item 6 (Current Trends and Challenges in Vaccination). 4. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP - PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ1 2025/26 (APRIL - JUNE) Consideration was given to a report which detailed performance for financial quarter 1 (FQ1) 2025/26 (April to June). The report included performance against each of the service areas and the 77 supporting IPMF Key Performance Indicators together with the latest HSCP Activity Summary Dashboard and trajectory analysis across the current reporting year. Further information in relation to the latest performance from the National Delayed Discharge Sitrep and the National Health and Wellbeing Indicators performance was also provided. DECISION The Clinical and Care Governance Committee:- 1. Noted the revised suite of 77 Key Performance Indicators within the Integrated Performance Management Framework for 2025/26. 2. Considered and discussed performance for FQ1 2025/26 (April – June 2025). 3. Considered the HSCP Activity Summary Dashboard and trajectory analysis across the current reporting year, as outlined at Appendix 1 to the report. 4. Noted the Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 30 June 2025, as reported in Appendix 2 of the report. 5. Acknowledged the latest performance against the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report. (Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, dated 6 November 2025, submitted)
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5. DASHBOARD REPORT The Committee gave consideration to the dashboard report, which provided information on stage 2 complaints; adverse events; inpatient falls; tissue viability incidents; violence and aggression incidents and medication errors over the last 13 months. Members discussed the clinical focus of the report and agreed that consideration should be given to developing a more integrated approach. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee considered and noted the information contained within the dashboard report. (Reference: Report by Interim Clinical and Care Governance Manager, submitted) 6. CURRENT TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN VACCINATION The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a quarterly update on the delivery and uptake of immunisation programmes across Argyll and Bute HSCP. The report highlighted the successes in childhood immunisation uptake and the challenges in adult and maternal programmes. Information was also provided on strategic initiatives including a pilot to improve the MMR uptake and updates on RSV and gonorrhoea vaccination programmes. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee noted the current uptake and performance of the vaccination service within Argyll and Bute and considered the challenges outlined. (Reference: Report by Head of Primary Care, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 7. SERVICE DELIVERY CHALLENGES - 2C GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICES Having noted that the HSCP have managed four 2C practices for three years and the several unsuccessful rounds of General Medical Services contractor procurement processes, the Committee gave consideration to a report which presented the clinical and financial risks associated with 2C practice delivery and outlined the ongoing work to ensure a viable long term delivery model. DECISION The Clinical and Care Governance Committee:- 1. Noted the financial pressures presented by 2C General Practice delivery. 2. Noted the remedial actions taken to sustain the delivery of high quality primary care services. 3. Noted the additional investment secured to sustain a cost effective delivery model in Garelochhead and Kilcreggan Practices.
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(Reference: Report by Head of Primary Care, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 8. INTEGRATED INSPECTIONS REPORT Having noted that inspections are regular and business as usual for services as is the preparation for and service improvement planning afterwards, consideration was given to a report that outlined the primary frameworks for inspection and review and presented an initial summary of inspections for oversight. Members discussed the level of oversight in service planning and assurance processes. It was noted that further consideration is required to determine the most effective means of gaining assurance. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee:- 1. Noted the primary frameworks for inspection and review. 2. Noted service planning and oversight out with committee and to committee. 3. Endorsed the recommendation to include this in the clinical governance framework review, with supporting improvement actions to ensure that the IJB has clarity on all points of governance for assurance, and to determine the most effective means of gaining that assurance. 4. Noted the inspections that have been undertaken. 5. Discussed the level of assurance and recommended improvement actions. (Reference: Report by Business Improvement Manager, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 9. LORN AND ISLANDS HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL @ HOME (H@H) PROJECT AND EXPANSION ACROSS HSCP The Committee noted the Scottish Government’s commitment to expanding the Hospital at Home model across Scotland, and as such gave consideration to a report which outlined the ongoing works relating to the expansion of Hospital at Home within the Lorn and across the HSCP. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee:- 1. Considered Hospital at Home as a safe and cost-effective alternative to hospital admission in managing acute illness and sudden deterioration in health in adults and the frail elderly population. 2. Considered the expansion of Hospital at Home in Lorn and the Islands Hospital to work within the whole systems approach including Fraility at the front door.
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3. Considered the expansion of Hospital at Home across the HSCP, by undertaking a scoping exercise across the partnership, with particular focus on Cowal, Oban and an Island setting. (Reference: Report by Head of Adults – Hospitals and Community Care, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 10. INTEGRATED COMPLAINTS ANNUAL REPORT Consideration was given to a report which advised on how the Council and NHS Highland for Argyll and Bute on behalf of the HSCP have dealt with complaints for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee:- 1. Noted the terms of the report. 2. Considered the themes identified. 3. Were assured in regard to the handling of complaints as per complaint handling procedures. 4. Gained oversight outwith the regulated process of the partners of what areas of action is being taken to improve the response to complaints in the A&B HSCP. (Reference: Report by Interim Clinical Governance Manager, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 11. WINTER PLANNING & PREPARATION, 25-26 Having noted that a comprehensive winter preparedness assessment aligned to the Scottish Government’s resilience checklist had been undertaken with a number of other partners, the Committee gave consideration to a report which confirmed the contingency arrangements in place which seek to strengthen protocols, enhance vaccination uptake and ensure cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms are embedded through the Health and Social Care Partnership for winter 2025/26. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee noted the plan in line with the Scottish Government checklist from the Winter Planning and Preparation Return of 2025/26 in partnership with NHS Highland. (Reference: Report by Head of Adults – Hospital & Community Services, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) Having noted the time constraints for consideration of the remaining business, it was agreed to take the remaining agenda items out of sequence. This minute reflects the order in which business was discussed. .
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12. SOCIAL WORK GOVERNANCE The Committee gave consideration to a report which presented a framework setting out the governance arrangements for delivering safe, effective and high quality Social Work and Social Care services under the leadership and oversight of the Chief Social Work Officer (CWSO). Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee noted the proposed structure for Social Work Governance and Leadership Committee. (Reference: Report by Head of Children, Families and Justice, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 13. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK The Committee gave consideration to a report which presented the Performance Management and Quality Assurance Framework that had been developed in response to the Justice Social Work Self-Evaluation of Performance, Quality and Outcomes conducted by the Care Inspectorate. Decision The Clinical and Care Governance Committee noted the Performance Management and Quality Assurance Framework that had been implemented for the Justice Social Work Service. (Reference: Report by Senior Justice Manager, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - 5 FEBRUARY 2026 It was noted that the next meeting of the Clinical and Care Governance Committee was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 5 February 2026.