The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to consider a draft Addiction Strategic Plan and receive an update on access and improvements within primary care services in Greenwich. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the minutes from a previous meeting and a discussion on urgent business.

Addiction Strategic Plan

The panel was scheduled to consider the draft Addiction Strategic Plan, which aims to address the harms and impacts of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling across the borough. This plan has been developed following extensive consultation and data analysis, including the creation of an Addictions Profile for Greenwich. The profile highlights significant issues across the four addiction areas, noting a correlation between deprivation and addiction harms, with an estimated annual cost of £394 million to Greenwich. The strategic plan aligns with national strategies such as From Harm to Hope and aims to provide a whole-system, whole-life approach to addiction support. Recommendations from the panel were intended to inform the finalisation of the plan before its adoption later in 2026.

Access and Improvement in Primary Care Services in Greenwich

An update was scheduled to be provided on the ongoing efforts to improve access to and the quality of primary care services within Greenwich. This update was expected to cover progress on initiatives aligned with NHS England's national Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care. Key areas of focus included the uptake and usage of the NHS App, the promotion and effectiveness of self-referral options, the expanded services offered by community pharmacies through the Pharmacy First scheme, and improvements in digital telephony systems to manage call handling and waiting times. The report was also set to detail the implementation of online consultation tools, the provision of appointments, and the use of digital tools for risk stratification. Furthermore, updates were anticipated on enhanced access services, the national practice-level support programme, the long-term workforce plan, and efforts to improve interfaces between primary, community, and secondary care. Immunisation programmes, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) update on practice reviews were also on the agenda. Finally, information on investment in primary care estates through the Local Improvement Grant (LIG) and Utilisation and Modernisation Fund (UMF), as well as Section 106 funding, was to be presented.

Declarations of Interest

Members were reminded to declare any personal and financial interests in relation to the items on the agenda, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and Code of Conduct.

Minutes

The panel was requested to confirm the accuracy of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 29th January 2026.

Public Questions on Agenda Items

A 15-minute slot was allocated for members of the public to ask questions on agenda items, provided these were submitted in writing prior to the meeting.