The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to consider updates on integrated neighbourhood teams and the performance of adult social care services. The meeting's report pack outlined discussions scheduled regarding the development of integrated approaches to health and social care delivery, and a review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan and adult social care performance.

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams - Neighbourhood Working

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the development of integrated neighbourhood approaches for delivering health and social care. This initiative, a joint programme between the Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and the wider Healthier Greenwich Partnership (HGP), aims to transform health and care services by integrating them at the neighbourhood level. The approach focuses on prevention and promoting independence, ensuring people receive care closer to home.

The report detailed progress in identifying neighbourhood footprints, appointing Oxleas as the Integrator Partnership Host, and co-designing a vision and outcomes with residents and system partners. An operating model for neighbourhood working had been developed, and the ICB had invested £2,622,000 through the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) to strengthen integrated neighbourhood working for priority cohorts including children, young people, the frail, those with multiple long-term conditions, and individuals needing mental health support. The funding also supports prevention for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CVRM) conditions and addresses health inequalities. Weekly Delivery Group meetings were in place to drive implementation, and Neighbourhood Leadership Groups were set to launch across all four neighbourhoods in September 2026. Target population groups and workstreams, including pathway workstreams (Prevention, 3+LTC, Mental Health, Frailty, Children and Young People) and enabler workstreams (Digital and Data, Workforce Development, Engagement, Comms, Finance, Estates), were defined. Progress reports were scheduled for each workstream, detailing activities such as evidence gathering for prevention, stakeholder engagement for 3+LTC, task and finish group meetings for frailty, and early-stage development for children and young people's models. Mental health projects, funded by SIF, were also outlined, focusing on support for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and a hub outreach/spoke service within neighbourhoods.

The report also covered progress on enabler workstreams, including digital and data infrastructure, workforce development, engagement strategies, communications, finance, and estates. The finance section detailed the SIF allocation for 2026/27, totalling £2,622,000, with a forecast outturn of £2,325,000. Planning for Neighbourhood Health Centres in each of the four Greenwich neighbourhoods was also underway. The impact of integrated neighbourhood working was expected to contribute to improved outcomes and system sustainability, with specific outcomes and metrics being developed at local, SEL, London, and national levels. Next steps included implementing Neighbourhood Leadership Groups, establishing a neighbourhood insights function, launching holistic appointments, co-designing with residents, prioritising digital initiatives, boosting the frailty service, and restructuring district nursing.

CQC Improvement Plan and Adult Social Care Performance

The panel was scheduled to consider a report on the CQC Improvement Plan and Adult Social Care Performance. The report detailed the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of Adult Social Care, which awarded the Royal Borough of Greenwich an overall Good rating following an inspection in October 2025. The assessment recognised strengths in leadership, governance, partnership working, strength-based assessments, commitment to resident independence, and a dedicated workforce. Areas for improvement identified included greater consistency in practice, improved accessibility, communication, engagement, and further strengthening co-production, alongside addressing gaps in service provision such as respite care.

The report highlighted performance data where Greenwich was outperforming the national benchmark, including in annual reviews for long-term support recipients, ease of accessing information about support, and the provision of reablement/rehabilitation after hospital discharge for those aged 65+. Carer satisfaction was also noted as having improved. Operational data indicated significant improvements in 2025/26, including a reduction in the annual review backlog, increased separate carers assessments, improved OT waiting times, and sharply reduced maximum Section 42 waits.

Areas where Greenwich was below the national benchmark included overall satisfaction with care/support, people feeling control over their daily lives, direct payment uptake, the effectiveness of reablement in preventing longer-term support needs, and the provision of advocates for those lacking capacity. The report detailed progress against inspection findings, with a focus on strengthening professional practice, workforce development, and improving accessibility and inclusion. Actions were underway to address advocacy, reablement effectiveness, direct payment uptake, and support for unpaid carers. The effectiveness of discharge pathways was also a key focus, with positive feedback from the CQC regarding the discharge to assess model and the use of virtual wards. The report detailed improvements through the Transfer of Care Hub, enhanced multidisciplinary working, and the introduction of shared digital systems. System coordination across health and care partners was identified as a strength, with a focus on joined-up services and improved communication. Measurable outcomes arising from improvement activity were emerging, demonstrating benefits for residents. Risks, challenges, and future priorities were also outlined, including embedding person-centred practice, strengthening workforce capability, and enhancing quality assurance.

The report also included appendices detailing the full CQC Assurance Report and the CQC Self-Assessment for the Royal Borough of Greenwich.