The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel of Ealing Council is scheduled to consider updates on the NHS Wheelchair Service and the partnership approach to neighbourhood health. The meeting will also review the panel's work programme.

NHS Wheelchair Service

The panel is scheduled to receive an update on the NHS wheelchair services for children, young people, and adults in Ealing. The report is expected to address concerns raised by members regarding service quality, communication with users, waiting times, and arrangements for repairs and maintenance. The NHS West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for commissioning these services, with AJM Healthcare currently contracted as the provider. The report will detail the governance, quality assurance, and contract management processes in place to oversee the service, as well as progress made through the provider's improvement and recovery programme. This includes information on reductions in service backlogs and operational transparency. The report also touches upon a national review by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) concerning complaints about AJM Healthcare's services.

Partnership Approach and Priorities/Neighbourhood Health

This agenda item is set to provide the Scrutiny Panel with an overview of Ealing's Borough Based Partnership (BBP) and Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) approach. The report will outline how local partners are implementing neighbourhood health reforms across the borough, highlighting progress in developing eight Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. These teams aim to bring together health, care, public health, housing, and community partners to address local populations' needs. The approach is intended to support the Council's ambitions to reduce health inequalities, strengthen prevention, improve mental health and wellbeing, support unpaid carers, and help residents live independently for longer. The report will also discuss the opportunities, challenges, risks, and financial implications associated with these developments, with a focus on ensuring governance, investment, and delivery arrangements remain focused on improving resident outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

Panel Work Programme

The panel is scheduled to review its work programme for 2026-27. This programme outlines the issues the panel intends to consider as part of its oversight role in monitoring NHS and Council performance and policy implementation. The panel will have the opportunity to agree any additional items and suggest who should be engaged in the selected agenda items.