The Scrutiny Health & Social Care Sub-Committee met to discuss the progress of the Adults Living Independently Transformation Programme and to receive an update from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM). The committee also considered its work programme for the upcoming year.

Update from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) regarding its Croydon Community Care Development Programme. This programme aims to improve community services for adults using SLAM's services by developing a new approach to community care. The initiative is informed by feedback from service users, carers, and staff, and aligns with national NHS plans for integrated, neighbourhood-based care delivered closer to home. Locally, the programme is driven by evidence of access barriers, high crisis demand, and fragmented pathways within the current model. The proposed redesign focuses on simplifying access, building community alternatives to crisis and acute care, and integrating statutory services with voluntary, community, and faith sector (VCSE) partners. The update was expected to cover the eight core components of the new model, the establishment of five neighbourhood centres, and the role of VCSE cooperatives in providing flexible community capacity. Key milestones, including staff consultation, model approval, and VCSE procurement, were reported as complete, with a roadmap to go-live on 28 September 2026.

Adults Living Independently Transformation Programme

A report was presented on the performance progress of the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate's Adults Living Independently transformation programme up to May 2026. This programme is central to the directorate's Medium Term Financial Strategy and aims to support residents in increasing their independence, enhancing their quality of life, and reducing reliance on commissioned care services, thereby achieving financial savings. The programme has moved into a sustainability phase, stress-testing the embedded changes. The report indicated that the programme was on track to deliver its medium-term financial strategy contribution of £15 million. The programme workstreams include Older People, Reablement, Intermediate Care Beds, Disabilities, Transitions, and Mental Health, each with an expected financial value. A programme health check in December 2025 was broadly positive, noting that new ways of working were operating as planned and that active leadership momentum was building. However, risks identified included limited succession planning, limitations in performance management, and the need for improved cross-system partnership. Key performance updates were provided for each workstream, with some areas, such as Older People, showing challenges in residential starts and domiciliary care hours, while others, like Reablement and Disabilities, were performing well against targets. The report also detailed financial performance for 2025-26 and projected savings for 2026-27, including those related to the Adults Living Independently programme and the Future Croydon Target Operating Model (TOM). Key performance indicators for the directorate were also presented, showing progress in areas such as direct payment uptake and planned reviews for long-term clients, alongside areas where performance remained below national averages.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2026-2027

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider the draft work programme for the 2026-27 municipal year. Members were invited to note the draft programme and consider any additional items that should be provisionally added as a result of discussions held during the meeting. The report highlighted that the lines of enquiry for some items were yet to be confirmed and that there were opportunities to add further items. It was suggested that no proposed agenda should contain more than two substantive items to allow for effective scrutiny. Members were also asked to consider which individuals or representatives they wished to invite to future meetings to assist in the consideration of agenda items. The draft work programme included scheduled items such as a review of the Stabilisation Plan and the Adults Living Independently Transformation Programme, an update on SLAM, and regular updates from Healthwatch Croydon. Future items included Winter Planning, Budget Scrutiny Challenge, and a review of Mayor Perry's Business Plan in relation to Health and Social Care.

Update from Healthwatch Croydon

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to receive an update from Healthwatch Croydon, presented by co-opted member Yinka Faponnle. This update was expected to cover the latest reports from Healthwatch, which inform the Sub-Committee's work programme. The provided documentation included a detailed report on Community pharmacy in Croydon - Views from service users and providers, which explored residents' and pharmacists' experiences with community pharmacy services. The report highlighted that most residents found their local pharmacies convenient and had positive overall experiences. Key themes from service users included a desire for longer opening hours, more stock, and reduced waiting times. Pharmacists identified medicines supply, workforce, and financial viability as significant challenges. The report made recommendations for better communication about pharmacy services, clearer information on Pharmacy First, improved communication regarding waiting times and stock, and enhanced training for pharmacists. It also suggested a review of funding to community pharmacy to meet patient and system demand. The update was also expected to cover broader themes from Healthwatch's engagement work, including feedback on Croydon's Adult Social Care Strategy, with recurring themes of early support, communication, outreach, and joined-up working.