The Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee meeting was scheduled to cover a range of important topics, including updates on health services, budget monitoring, and the council's forward plan. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the operational performance of various health trusts and organisations within North West London, alongside discussions on the council's financial position and future strategic direction.

Health Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive updates from several key health organisations.

• Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) was expected to provide information on the expansion of Urgent Community Response (UCR) teams and the establishment of a Hospital at Home function. Updates on the Lighthouse service, which supports patients experiencing mental health crises, and progress in reducing waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were also anticipated. The Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) working with schools and the musculoskeletal physiotherapy team's efforts to reduce appointment no-shows were also on the agenda. Additionally, the committee was to hear about the trial of Blinx Patient and Care Optimiser (PACO) software, aimed at improving GP working practices.

• The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (THH) was scheduled to report on a decrease in Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances and improved performance metrics. The committee was to be updated on the Trust's National Oversight Framework (NOF) rating, its financial performance, and progress towards referral to treatment and cancer appointment targets. Information regarding the upcoming merger of Hillingdon Hospital with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London North West Hospital, and Imperial Hospital, as well as the new hospital development, was also planned for discussion.

• Healthwatch Hillingdon (HH) was expected to present its workstreams, including feedback gathered from residents on their experiences with GPs and health partners. Key issues raised, such as telephone wait times and clarity around appointment pathways, were to be discussed. HH's enter and view role, involving visits to care homes and supported housing, and their hospital discharge project were also on the agenda.

• Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals (RBH) was scheduled to provide an update on their patient care, focusing on waiting times for treatment and cancer performance. The committee was to hear about challenges in cardiac surgery and lung cancer treatment, as well as pressure on echo and sleep diagnostics. Information on heart and lung transplants, the Trust's financial position, and the benefits of their merger with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust was also anticipated.

• North West London Integrated Care Board (NWL ICB) was to provide an update on discharge targets and efforts to meet new hospital metrics by reducing non-elective admissions and average length of stay. Discussions were expected on initiatives like universal care plans (UCPs) for care home residents and progress on the mental health referral form for children and young people. The committee was also to be briefed on the merger of the NWL ICB with the North Central London (NCL) ICB and its implications for Hillingdon residents.

Budget and Spending Report - Select Committee Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to review the Month 10 budget monitoring report. Concerns were expected regarding a significant overspend and discussions were anticipated about the accuracy of figures for the upcoming financial year. The report was to detail pressures in adult social care, including care home costs and home-to-school transport. The council's approach to funding social care, including the Paying for Social Care booklet, and the implications of individuals funding their own care home costs were to be discussed. The committee was also to consider the charging of home-to-school transport costs for children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and the financial risks associated with this. The budget position and the impact of a dispute with the North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding funding allocation were also on the agenda.

Cabinet Forward Plan Monthly Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to consider the Cabinet Forward Plan, which outlines future reports for decision by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members. The committee's role in monitoring this plan, including providing comments on items within its remit, was to be discussed.

Work Programme

The committee was to consider its Work Programme for the upcoming year, including scheduled meeting dates and potential topics for review. This included noting the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care's attendance at a future meeting and a planned review on tech-enabled care.

Introduction to Overview and Scrutiny

A report was scheduled to provide committee members with an introduction to the role of select committees and overview and scrutiny in Hillingdon. This included information on how select committees operate, their general responsibilities, and the specific terms of reference for the Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee, including its Corporate Parenting Panel and statutory health scrutiny functions.

Corporate Parenting Panel Update

The committee was scheduled to consider an update from the Corporate Parenting Panel, including minutes from their meeting on 19 March 2026.

Corporate Parenting Panel Membership 2026-2027

The committee was to appoint councillors to the Corporate Parenting Panel for the upcoming municipal year, based on political balance, and confirm the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel. The terms of reference for the Corporate Parenting Panel were also to be noted.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes from previous meetings of the Health and Social Care Select Committee (26 March 2026), the Children, Families and Education Select Committee (14 April 2026), and the Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee (14 May 2026).