The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 15 October 2026. The committee received updates on the Care Quality Commission's assessment of adult social care services, the City and Hackney Winter Plan, and improving public mental health. Discussions also covered the City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership and the Forward Plan. Apologies were noted, and declarations of interest were made.

Care Quality Commission Adult Social Care Assessment Outcome

The committee received an update on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment of the City of London Corporation's Adult Social Care services, which rated the services as Good. The assessment, conducted between February and July 2025 and published in July 2026, highlighted strengths in areas such as strengths-based assessments, hospital discharge processes, and responsive, person-centred services. Areas for development included engagement with seldom-heard groups, support for unpaid carers, data quality, voluntary sector involvement, and the completion of a City-specific Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). Councillor Christopher Paul Boden expressed surprise at the Good rating, noting the service was awfully close to requiring improvement, scoring 64 out of a potential threshold of 62. He also raised concerns about the 14-18 month delay in receiving the report and the potential reputational damage if the rating had been lower. Simon Cribbens, Executive Director of Community and Children's Services, acknowledged these concerns, stating that the CQC's methodology was more suited to larger authorities and that the council had robustly challenged the outcomes. He also noted that the CQC framework was subject to change. Councillor Gail Beer, Chair of Healthwatch City of London, felt some aspects of the report did not reflect resident experiences, particularly regarding safeguarding, but acknowledged strengths in communication and engagement. She stressed the importance of not dismissing the report entirely and using it for self-reflection.

City and Hackney Winter Plan

The committee received a presentation on the City and Hackney Winter Plan for 2026/27, which aims to create an integrated, place-based response to anticipated pressures across urgent care, acute flow, discharge, mental health, and primary care. Key priorities include prevention, acute readiness, patient flow, timely discharge, and community support. The plan acknowledges sustained demand growth in A&E attendances and highlights the need for continued focus on front-door flow, discharge, and alternatives to admission. Councillor Christopher Paul Boden raised concerns that the plan did not adequately reflect the needs of the most deprived residents in Port Soken Ward, who are registered with GPs in Tower Hamlets. He questioned whether the City should continue to be linked with Hackney for health services or consider a link with Tower Hamlets. Nina Griffith, Director of Integration for the City and Hackney Place Based Partnership, acknowledged the boundary issues and stated that the new governance structure aimed to give the City a stronger voice in how NHS budgets are spent. Councillor Tessa Marchington expressed cynicism about NHS reorganisations, questioning how the changes would tangibly improve patient care and expressing concern about Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust taking a lead role in commissioning.

Update on Improving Public Mental Health and the Closure of the Wellbeing Network

The committee received an update on plans to improve public mental health and the decision not to recommission the Wellbeing Network when its contract ends in June 2027. Chris Lovitt, Deputy Director of Public Health, explained that mental health treatment services are primarily an NHS responsibility, and Public Health's role is shifting towards prevention and addressing wider determinants of mental health. The Public Health Grant, though relatively small, will be used to support public mental health initiatives. Councillor Christopher Paul Boden expressed confusion about the distinction between NHS mental health responsibilities and Public Health's role in public mental health, particularly in relation to the joint City and Hackney Public Health team. He questioned why the focus was on Hackney when Public Health grants are primarily for residents. Angela Burns, Principal Public Health Specialist, clarified that the joint team offers benefits to both the City and Hackney and that the City's grant, though smaller per capita, is significant for its resident population. She emphasised a focus on prevention, such as employment and housing, rather than solely on treatment. Councillor Tessa Marchington highlighted the stigma around workplace addiction and suggested the Corporation could lead on this issue. She also mentioned upcoming events on social prescribing and creative health.

Next Steps in the City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership

Nina Griffith, Director of Integration for the City and Hackney Place Based Partnership, presented the next steps in reforming the health and care partnership. Key changes include strengthening the link between Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) and the partnership's delivery vehicle, and the potential for a new Integrated Health Organisation (IHO) contract to give the Place more autonomy over the NHS budget. Councillor Gail Beer expressed concerns about the potential for Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to lead on the IHO contract, citing past relationship issues with other hospitals. She also questioned the tangible benefits for patients from these structural changes. Nina Griffith acknowledged the cynicism around reorganisations but highlighted that the new structure would give the City a stronger voice in decision-making regarding the NHS budget and aim for more accessible community-based services. Councillor Christopher Paul Boden raised concerns about how the new structure would address health inequalities for disadvantaged residents in Port Soken Ward, who are registered with GPs in Tower Hamlets. Nina Griffith stated that boundary issues were a long-standing problem and that the new approach would focus on health promotion and community activation, which would include these residents.

Forward Plan

The committee noted the Forward Plan. Councillor Christopher Paul Boden requested that specific areas arising from the CQC report be added to the forward plan, including the practicality of having a care home in the City, the appropriateness of requiring residents to access services in Hackney, and the disaggregation of data. Gail Beer suggested adding items on dental services, end-of-life care, and mental health in younger people. The Chair agreed to work with officers to incorporate these suggestions and circulate a draft plan.

Other Business

Councillor Annie (surname not provided) suggested formalising the process for feeding discussions from the committee to the Health and Wellbeing Board. Councillor Christopher Paul Boden raised the issue of summer measures and cooling, particularly for residents in council housing, suggesting it should be considered as part of winter planning discussions.

The meeting concluded with the exclusion of the public for non-public items.