Here is a summary of what was scheduled to be discussed at the North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) meeting. The agenda included updates on urgent and emergency care, primary care access, continuing healthcare, and special educational needs (SEN) continence services. The committee was also scheduled to review its recommendations tracker and work programme for the year.

Urgent and Emergency Care Delivery

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on urgent and emergency care (UEC) across North West London. The report highlighted progress made in integrating acute, community, mental health, London Ambulance Service (LAS), primary care and local authority services. Key achievements listed in the Public Reports Pack included:

• The launch of the Integrated Care Coordination Hub (ICC).
• Record levels of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC).
• Strengthened community and mental health alternatives.
• Improved handover, response and ED performance.
• Evidence-based impact for high-need and underserved groups.
• Digital front door and Optica roll out.
• Discharge performance and flow improvements.

The report also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as rising demand, mental health waits, and workforce issues. Winter readiness plans and future steps for UEC were also outlined. According to the Public Reports Pack:

Our approach is rooted in the four pillars of the NWL UEC strategy which are proactive care for complex needs, same day urgent care, efficient secondary care and integrated discharge. This is closely aligned with the National UEC Plan and the work of the Acute Provider Collaborative. Taken together, these actions are delivering a more coherent offer across the whole UEC pathway with shared accountability and visible system grip.

Implementation of the Same Day Access Model in Primary Care

The committee was scheduled to discuss the implementation of the Same Day Access model in primary care. A report in the Public Reports Pack provided background on the access programme roadmap, the current landscape of primary care access in North West London, and the ICB's revised strategy for improving access. It also referenced how online consultations support same day access. The report also included an overview of the access programme and access specification, progress against key targets, and performance metrics across North West London. The vision for change management, continuous improvement, and value for money initiatives were also outlined. Engagement and feedback findings from the GP Patient Survey and patient and staff feedback were to be shared. The ICB's communication with residents and practices on access plans, PCN-led approaches to engage patients and communities, and the General Practice Action Plan to tackle unwarranted variation were also scheduled for discussion. Ongoing work to ensure equitable access provision across North West London, next steps, proposed changes to access services and specifications, and key risks and mitigations were also listed.

Application of the Continuing Healthcare Criteria

The committee was scheduled to discuss the application of continuing healthcare (CHC) criteria. The report in the Public Reports Pack focused on adult CHC and funded nursing care (FNC) provision, with an active caseload at any time of around 4,400 individuals. Key messages included:

• North West London ICB funds more CHC eligible individuals than any other ICB in London.
• The number of referrals and patients funded have exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
• Post pandemic, the ICB has worked to ensure consistency of approach in all of its London boroughs.
• Conversion rates for adult CHC funded care remain above London average across North West London, with some borough variations.
• Fast Track referrals are above London and national average.
• The number of individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism eligible for CHC funded care has increased significantly over the past couple of years.

The report also provided an overview of the CHC assessment process, caseload numbers, and a comparison of CHC funded patients per 50,000 population across London boroughs. Future plans for the service were also outlined.

SEN Continence Service

The committee was scheduled to discuss SEN continence service. A report in the Public Reports Pack offered a review of current service models, highlighted gaps, and supported the development of more equitable, person-centred care. The report noted that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) often face complex health and care challenges, including continence issues. The report included partnership contributions from parent-carer forums and Directors of Public Health. It also outlined the Education & Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC) Children's Continence Pathway, which describes the model for children's continence services. The report also detailed variation across North West London in the provision of continence services, and outlined system-wide improvement and future opportunities.

Recommendations Tracker and Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review the North West London JHOSC Recommendations Tracker, which provides a summary of scrutiny recommendations made during the previous two and current municipal years. The tracker monitors decisions made by NHS colleagues and gives the committee oversight over implementation progress. The committee was also scheduled to discuss the North West London JHOSC 2025/26 Work Programme, which outlines the decisions and health policy areas the committee plans to review during the municipal year.