The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel of Ealing Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to review the progress of adult social care transformation and CQC assurance, discuss current public health priorities, and examine the 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. The report detailed progress made in areas such as reducing wait times for assessments, improving strategic capacity, and establishing new governance structures. It also highlighted ongoing work to enhance practice excellence, support unpaid carers, improve access to housing, and integrate technology. The report noted the challenging operating context, influenced by national reform agendas like the Casey Review and the NHS Long Term Plan. The panel was also to be briefed on the CQC's refreshed approach to local authority assurance visits, which are becoming more relational and will involve relationship managers and regular interim meetings. The report outlined the differences between comprehensive and focused assessments and indicated that Ealing's next assessment would focus on four key themes: Working with People, Providing Support, Ensuring Safety, and delivering the Secretary of State's priorities.

Public Health - Current Priorities

The panel was set to review the current priorities of Ealing's public health team, which focuses on creating conditions for residents to live healthy lives and building their capabilities to do so across their lifecourse. The report highlighted that while overall health outcomes in Ealing are relatively good, significant and widening inequalities persist, with poor health concentrated in more deprived communities. Key health needs identified included growing well and living and ageing well. The public health team's responsibilities, as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, include commissioning services such as sexual health, drug and alcohol treatment, health visiting, and NHS Health Checks. The strategic priorities for the next 12 months were to include the re-commissioning of major public health services, the launch of new services like a weight management programme and a drug-checking pilot, and addressing the building blocks of health through action on work, gambling-related harm, temporary accommodation, and healthy weight in children and young people. The report also detailed work on system leadership and partnerships, including developing a Neighbourhood Health Plan with NHS partners and supporting community-led initiatives.

Health of the Borough 2025-2026

The panel was scheduled to consider the fourth annual Health of the Borough report, which demonstrates Ealing Council's achievements in tackling inequalities and improving the long-term health and wellbeing of its residents during 2025/26. This report, a commitment within the Council Plan 2022–26, aims to address health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic. The report was intended for residents and highlighted 18 key council-led and commissioned activities. Key themes included supporting residents through difficult times with cost-of-living support and enhanced outreach for rough sleepers; putting 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 in schools 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 differences in health through targeted support for vulnerable residents. The report included data and case studies illustrating the impact of these initiatives.

Panel Terms of Reference and Draft Work Programme 2026-2027

The panel was due to consider its draft terms of reference and work programme for the 2026-2027 municipal year. The report outlined the panel's general and specific powers, including reviewing and scrutinising adult social services and health services within the authority's area. It detailed the panel's methodology, which involves a strategic, evidence-based approach, and its relationship with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet, and local NHS bodies. The panel was recommended to agree its terms of reference, appoint co-optee members, and agree on its work programme, which would be a rolling plan of work amended throughout the year. The report also listed key contacts within the council and relevant NHS bodies.