The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Health is scheduled to meet on Friday 30 January 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the North Central London (NCL) Inequalities Fund, an update on paediatric services, and discussions regarding the merger of North Middlesex and Royal Free Hospitals.

NCL Inequalities Fund

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to the NCL Inequalities Fund, a £5 million annual investment aimed at funding innovative partnerships to address the root causes of health inequalities. The fund focuses on prevention, early help, and wider determinants of health, working collaboratively with communities. The report pack details how funding is allocated based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2019 and 2025, with a greater proportion directed towards boroughs like Haringey and Enfield, which have higher concentrations of residents in the most deprived areas. Camden and Islington also receive allocations, while Barnet has a smaller allocation to address specific pockets of deprivation.

The fund supports various projects across boroughs, including initiatives in Camden targeting Somali and Bengali communities, improved diabetes and heart failure management in Enfield and Haringey, and outreach cancer screening and childhood immunisation support in Islington. The report highlights that in 2025-26, 45 projects were delivered, supporting over 20,000 people, with 75% of project objectives met. The evaluation of the fund indicates a positive return on investment, with an estimated £5.3 million in cost mitigation against £3.6 million in costs for evaluated projects. The report also outlines learning from the fund, identifying what works well, such as deep community reach and extensive engagement, and areas for improvement, including the complexity of commissioning and the need for greater use of qualitative data. Future steps include aligning the fund with strategic priorities, strengthening neighbourhoods, and focusing on improving outcomes for key groups.

Paediatric Services Review Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the review of paediatric services. Further details on this item are to be provided.

North Middlesex and Royal Free Hospital Merger Update

An update on the merger between North Middlesex and Royal Free Hospitals is also on the agenda. Specific details regarding this discussion will be circulated.

North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference

The committee will consider its Terms of Reference.

Work Programme

The 2025-26 work programme for the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be presented for review. This outlines the planned activities and focus areas for the committee over the coming year.

The meeting will also address standard procedural items, including filming at meetings, apologies for absence, urgent business, declarations of interest, deputations, petitions, presentations, questions, and the confirmation of previous minutes.