The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel met to review the progress of Adult Social Care transformation and CQC assurance, alongside current public health priorities and the overall health of the borough. The panel also considered its terms of reference and draft work programme for the upcoming year.

Adult Social Care Transformation and CQC Assurance

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the improvement plan for Adult Social Care, which was developed following a requires improvement rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in Autumn 2024. This plan covers quality, finance, and governance, delivered through three key programmes: Resident Experience, T27 (transformational activity), and Finance. The report indicated that tangible improvements had been made, including reduced wait times for assessments, improved strategic capacity, and the delivery of £5 million in savings in 2025/26. However, further work was identified as necessary in areas such as practice excellence, support for unpaid carers, access to housing, and the use of technology. The report also noted the CQC's refreshed approach to local authority assurance visits, with Ealing potentially facing a comprehensive or focused assessment. The panel was asked to note the report's contents and endorse the approach to improving the experience of Ealing residents who draw on adult social care support.

Public Health - Current Priorities

The panel was set to discuss the current priorities for public health in Ealing over the next 12 months, as outlined in the 'Together in Ealing' Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28. Key strategic priorities included the re-commissioning of major public health services such as sexual health, substance misuse, and 0-19 health visiting and school nursing. The launch of a new weight management service and a drug-checking pilot were also scheduled. The report highlighted efforts to address the building blocks of health, including work on employment and health, gambling-related harm, temporary accommodation, and healthy weight in children and young people. Building and maintaining partnerships with the NHS and developing neighbourhood teams were also key areas of focus. The panel was recommended to consider and comment on these identified public health priorities.

Health of the Borough Report 2025-2026

The panel was scheduled to review Ealing Council's fourth annual Health of the Borough report, which details the council's achievements in tackling inequalities and improving the long-term health and wellbeing of residents during 2025/26. This report, a commitment within the Council Plan 2022–26, aims to highlight how various council activities contribute to reducing health inequality. Key themes presented included supporting residents through difficult times with cost-of-living assistance and enhanced outreach for rough sleepers; placing communities at the centre of change through initiatives like Community Champions and Town Teams; improving the lives of children and young people with programmes like Therapeutic Thinking and suicide prevention training; creating healthier, greener, and more active places through projects like Let's Go Southall and the Regional Park; and tackling unfair health differences through targeted support for vulnerable residents. The panel was recommended to consider the breadth and extent of the council's work in improving resident health and wellbeing.

Panel Terms of Reference and Draft Work Programme 2026-2027

The panel was scheduled to consider its draft terms of reference and work programme for the 2026-2027 period. The report outlined the panel's general and specific powers, including reviewing adult social services and health services within the authority's area. It detailed the panel's deliberative, investigative, and evidence-based methodology, which includes comparative analysis, site visits, public meetings, and commissioning research. The panel was also asked to agree the appointment of co-optee members, with recommendations including David Crawley (Ealing Healthwatch), Lorraine Charlton (Ealing and Hounslow Community and Voluntary Services), Alan Cook (a resident involved in health scrutiny), Gule Hanid (Co-Chair Carers Co-Production Board), and Connor Wood (Co-Chair Autism Co-Production Board). The proposed work programme for 2026/2027 was to be presented for agreement, with the intention of updating it at each meeting. The panel was recommended to agree the terms of reference, the appointment of co-optee members, and the work programme.