Scrutiny Committee Forces Call‑In of Shaping Care Together Plans

Unanimous Vote to Escalate Plans to Wes Streeting MP

The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee held an extraordinary meeting this week, voting unanimously to call in the controversial Shaping Care Together programme. The decision will now be escalated directly to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The call-in was triggered under two key scrutiny clauses:

• Concerns with the process that was followed
• Concerns that the proposal is not in the best interests of local health services

Councillors Raise Deep Concerns Over Transparency and Patient Impact

Cllr Crimmins and Cllr Mills highlighted long-standing concerns about the programme, stressing that questions raised by the Joint Scrutiny Board received no meaningful answers throughout the process.

From West Lancashire Borough Council, Cllr Fennell warned that the programme had failed to address maternity services entirely, raising fears among residents about the possible future closure of Ormskirk maternity services.

Cllr Hargreaves drew attention to the significant increase in travel time for children who would be required to attend Southport instead of Ormskirk, describing it as a potential “life or death” risk during emergencies.

Reform-Led County Council Pushes Back Against A&E Relocation

The Reform-led County Council, working cross-party, initiated the formal process to challenge the proposal to move Ormskirk’s A&E department to Southport.

Deputy Leader Cllr Simon Evans condemned the plans, calling the proposal:

‍^{“A bizarre decision based on following money, not the needs of the people of West Lancashire and we in Reform shall fight it every step of the way.”}

He criticised national leadership, saying the situation had unfolded under a Labour government, a Labour MP for West Lancashire, and a Labour NHS junior minister, arguing that “it should never have come to this.”

“A Full Review Is Essential”

County Councillor Nigel Swales, the council’s Champion for Mental Health, welcomed the committee’s unanimous position:^‍

^{“I am delighted that the whole scrutiny committee agreed with me to call-in this decision and take it to Wes Streeting’s desk, to hopefully get the recognition it deserves and achieve a full review.”}