The Adults and Health Policy and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss its work programme for the upcoming year, receive an update from the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, and review the priorities for Healthwatch Westminster. The committee was also set to examine the contract between NHS West and North London ICB and AJM Healthcare for the provision of wheelchair services.

Work Programme 2026-2027

The committee was scheduled to review and shape its work programme for the municipal year. This involves identifying topics for scrutiny, including pre-decision scrutiny of new policy development, post-decision scrutiny of implemented policies, and general oversight. The committee's work programme is designed to align with its terms of reference and to maximise its impact on council policy and service areas. Members were also invited to consider establishing Task Groups or commissioning Single Member Studies for more in-depth examination of key issues. The committee's work programme is flexible and can accommodate urgent issues or items requiring scrutiny at more relevant times.

Update from the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health

Councillor Lorraine Dean, the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, was scheduled to provide an update on strategic priorities. These included the council's commitment to providing high-quality, responsive, safe, and timely social care services, with an objective to maximise people's independence and support them to live healthy lives in the community. The update was also expected to cover the West and North London Integrated Care Board's new operating model and the council's involvement in nominating representatives to its board. Discussions were anticipated regarding specialist accommodation, including the opening of the new 65-unit extra care scheme at Taylor House and further opportunities for specialist accommodation. An update on the new homecare model, including details of neighbourhood lead providers and the billing process for homecare services, was also on the agenda. The committee was also to be briefed on the ongoing work related to Baroness Louise Casey's independent review into adult social care in England. Emerging issues such as mental health beds in Westminster, remedial works at Beachcroft Care Home, and the council's approach to food poverty were also to be discussed. Recent decisions taken by the Cabinet Member, including direct awards for carers' hub services and advocacy services, were also to be presented.

Healthwatch Westminster Priorities

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the priorities for Healthwatch Westminster for its final year. Healthwatch, established to understand and advocate for the needs and experiences of people using health and social care services, faces potential closure following a government announcement in July 2025. The report was expected to outline five key priorities: the Patient Experience Programme, Enter and View, the Know Your Rights Programme, the Have Your Say initiative, and the Young People's Mental Health Project. The committee was asked to consider these priorities in relation to its work programme and the council's wider ambitions, and to provide comments on the proposed future model for patient engagement in Westminster and the council's potential role.

NHS West and North London ICB Wheelchair Service

The committee was scheduled to review the contract between NHS West and North London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and AJM Healthcare for the provision of wheelchair services in Westminster. The report was intended to provide an update on service quality, communication with service users, waiting times, and repair and maintenance arrangements. The ICB, responsible for commissioning these services, works with AJM Healthcare as the contracted provider. The report was expected to detail the governance, quality assurance, and contract management arrangements in place to oversee service delivery, as well as progress made through the provider's improvement and recovery programme. This included information on the reduction of service backlogs, improvements in operational transparency, and the ongoing monitoring of performance. The report also referenced a national review by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman concerning complaints about AJM Healthcare's services.