The Health Scrutiny Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 14 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the work of Positive East, an update on health services in Barking Riverside, and the Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham work programme for the upcoming year.

Positive East Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update from Mark Santos, Executive Director of Positive East, regarding the organisation's activities. Positive East provides support services for individuals living with and affected by HIV, including HIV and STI testing, prevention initiatives, and outreach programmes. The organisation's vision is to create a future where people living with HIV can lead full and healthy lives, free from stigma and discrimination, and where there are no new HIV transmissions. The report highlights challenges such as late diagnosis of HIV, equity in PrEP access, disengagement from medical care, and the impact of poverty and poor housing on those affected. Positive East offers a range of services including community-based HIV testing and STI screening, support for accessing online testing, a community-based PrEP clinic, and outreach programmes. They also provide peer support, counselling, specialist psychology, health and wellbeing workshops, and advice on benefits and housing.

Barking Riverside Health Services Update

An update is scheduled regarding the interim health facility at Barking Riverside. NHS North East London and Barking Riverside Limited are collaborating to establish primary care services within this growing neighbourhood. The interim facility, located in a 260 m² unit provided by Barking Riverside Limited, will offer essential primary care services while plans for a permanent health and wellbeing facility are developed. The unit is currently being fitted out to meet NHS clinical and accessibility standards, with work expected to commence in September 2026. NHS North East London is in the process of procuring a provider for primary medical services, and communications are underway to inform residents about the facility's progress and eventual opening. The proposed layout includes five clinical and treatment rooms, along with reception, waiting, and office areas, designed to be a welcoming and accessible environment.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham Work Programme 2026/2027

The committee is set to review the Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham work programme for 2026–2027. This programme focuses on gathering and representing local residents' experiences of health and care services to drive improvements. Key projects planned include research into NHS referrals, the Pharmacy First service, and the NHS App. Healthwatch will also conduct Enter and View visits to local services and assess awareness of its own services among residents. The workplan encompasses ongoing community engagement, volunteer support, and the provision of information and signposting services. Healthwatch will continue to represent residents' views in strategic meetings, including the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC), using evidence to influence local health and care planning.

Appointments to the Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The committee is expected to consider appointments to the Outer North East London (ONEL) Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) for the 2026/27 municipal year. The ONEL JHOSC comprises representatives from Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest councils, with the purpose of reviewing and scrutinising large-scale NHS service changes and holding regional NHS bodies accountable. The report suggests appointing three members from the Health Scrutiny Committee to the ONEL JHOSC, with a recommendation to appoint the Chair, Councillor Michel Pongo, and Deputy Chair, Councillor Donna Lumsden, as standard practice.

Work Programme

The committee's work programme for 2026/27 is also scheduled for discussion. This includes planned topics such as patient flow and overcrowding at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), elective care backlogs, and the impact of hubs in supporting BHRUT. Updates on the NHS Health Check programme, BHRUT maternity services, the Community Navigator scheme, and end-of-life care in Barking and Dagenham are also listed. Additionally, the programme includes discussions on health inequalities and access, with a focus on mental health, and a neighbourhood health update. The work programme also notes proposed items from Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham concerning the NHS Digital App, Pharmacy First, and the referral project.