The Health, Adult Social Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Commission met on Wednesday 21 October 2026 to discuss sexual health services, the findings of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on adult social care, and updates on the Asylum Road care home development. The commission also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Sexual Health Services

Neil Colquhoun, Head of Public Health Commissioning, presented a report on sexual health services in Southwark, highlighting progress in delivering the Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley (LSLBB) Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy 2025-2030. He noted that while services are performing well, with high demand for both online and face-to-face provision, significant challenges remain. These include high rates of HIV, increasing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), late HIV diagnoses, and persistent inequalities affecting vulnerable populations. Mr. Colquhoun also detailed the council's approach to harm reduction and support for sex workers, which involves a coordinated effort between health, safeguarding, and voluntary sector services. Councillor David Noakes, Vice-Chair of the commission, noted that he personally uses services outside the borough, such as Dean Street, due to their perceived higher standard of care and technology, acknowledging that this incurs additional costs for the council.

CQC Report on Southwark Council's Adult Social Care

David Quirke-Thornton, Strategic Director of Children's and Adults' Services, presented the findings of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Southwark's Adult Social Care services. The service received a Good rating overall, with particular praise for its person-centred approach to assessments, compassionate staff, and strong multi-agency working. However, the report identified several areas for development, most notably the lack of sufficient nursing home provision within the borough, leading to a high number of residents being placed out of area. Other areas for improvement included the need for more support for unpaid carers, longer waiting lists for Occupational Therapy (OT) assessments, and a backlog of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications. Councillor Esmé Dobson raised concerns about the mission creep of the CQC inspection, noting that issues like damp and mould, while serious, were not directly related to the Care Act framework under which adult social care is assessed. Councillor Pascale Mitchell expressed disappointment at the removal of funding for Saltic Carers and inquired about plans to re-establish similar support.

Asylum Road Care Home Delivery Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Asylum Road care home development. Councillor Dobson highlighted that this project is a response to the identified need for more nursing care provision within the borough. However, she expressed frustration regarding the significant delays in the project's timeline, noting that the planning application submission has been pushed back to the end of Quarter 4 of 2027-28, a year later than originally anticipated. Councillor Dobson stated that while she has provided concurrence at each stage, the process has been bumpy and taken longer than expected, especially given the pressing need for such facilities. The commission noted its puzzlement regarding the reasons for the timeline slippage.

Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review - Engagement

Councillor Esmé Dobson provided an update on the Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review, which is a continuation of work from the previous administrative year. She explained that a workshop with carers had been held, broadening the review's scope beyond older people and hoarding to include adults with a variety of needs, such as mental health issues and those experiencing domestic abuse. A survey was also conducted, but with only three responses, a proposal was made to increase its reach through social media and target specific communities, such as the Latin American community, to gather more diverse feedback. The aim is to wrap up the report in the coming weeks.

Work Programme

The commission reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Councillor Sam Dalton raised a point about the scope of the Complex Needs and Street-Based Anti-Social Behaviour review, questioning why it was limited to street-based issues and suggesting that the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents in estates and housing association properties should also be considered. Councillor Natasha Ennin supported this, highlighting that housing association properties are often overlooked by the council. Councillor Dalton agreed that the problem is complex and that the scope might need to be adjusted as the work progresses. The commission agreed to the work programme, with the understanding that it is iterative and can accommodate emergency issues or additions.

The Health, Adult Social Care and Community Safety Scrutiny Commission met on Wednesday 21 October 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting Southwark residents. The meeting covered sexual health services, the findings of a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on adult social care, and updates on key council projects and future work plans.

Sexual Health Services

Neil Colquhoun, Head of Public Health Commissioning, presented a report detailing the sexual and reproductive health services available to Southwark residents. He highlighted the progress made in implementing the LSLBB Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Strategy 2025-2030, noting achievements such as the expansion of digital services, the recommencement of the Digital PrEP service, and the opening of a new contraception service at Harold Moody Health Centre. Mr. Colquhoun acknowledged the high demand for services, with over 15,000 online STI testing kits ordered by residents and significant attendance at specialist clinics. However, he also raised concerns about persistent public health challenges, including high HIV prevalence, rising STI rates, late diagnoses, and ongoing inequalities affecting specific population groups. Councillor David Noakes, Vice-Chair of the commission, shared his personal experience of using services outside the borough, such as Dean Street, due to their perceived higher standard of care and technology, acknowledging that this incurs additional costs for the council. The commission also discussed the council's approach to harm reduction and support for sex workers, which involves a coordinated effort between health, safeguarding, and voluntary sector services.

CQC Report on Southwark Council's Adult Social Care

David Quirke-Thornton, Strategic Director of Children's and Adults' Services, presented the findings of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of Southwark's Adult Social Care services. The service received an overall rating of Good, with particular praise for its person-centred approach to assessments, compassionate staff, and strong multi-agency working. However, the report identified several areas for development. A significant concern was the lack of sufficient nursing home provision within the borough, leading to a high number of residents being placed out of area. Other areas for improvement included the need for more support for unpaid carers, longer waiting lists for Occupational Therapy (OT) assessments, and a backlog of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications. Councillor Esmé Dobson, Shadow Deputy Member for Adult Services, raised concerns about the CQC's inspection framework, suggesting that issues like damp and mould, while serious, were outside the scope of the Care Act. Councillor Pascale Mitchell expressed disappointment regarding the removal of funding for Saltic Carers and inquired about plans to reinstate similar support.

Asylum Road Care Home Delivery Update

An update was provided on the progress of the Asylum Road care home development. Councillor Dobson highlighted that this project is a direct response to the identified need for increased nursing care provision within the borough. However, she expressed frustration regarding significant delays in the project's timeline, noting that the planning application submission has been postponed to the end of Quarter 4 of 2027-28, a year later than originally planned. Councillor Dobson described the process as bumpy and longer than anticipated, especially given the pressing need for such facilities. The commission acknowledged its puzzlement regarding the reasons for these timeline slippages.

Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review - Engagement

Councillor Esmé Dobson provided an update on the Adult Safeguarding Scrutiny Review, which is continuing from the previous administrative year. She explained that a workshop with carers had broadened the review's scope beyond older people and hoarding to encompass adults with diverse needs, including mental health issues and those experiencing domestic abuse. A survey was also conducted, but with limited responses, a proposal was made to increase its reach through social media and target specific communities, such as the Latin American community, to gather more comprehensive feedback. The aim is to finalise the report in the coming weeks.

Work Programme

The commission reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Councillor Sam Dalton, Shadow Member for Inclusive Economy, Equalities & Democracy, questioned the scope of the Complex Needs and Street-Based Anti-Social Behaviour review, specifically asking why it was limited to street-based issues and suggesting that the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents in estates and housing association properties should also be considered. Councillor Natasha Ennin, Labour and Co-operative, supported this point, highlighting that housing association properties are often overlooked by the council. Councillor Dalton agreed that the issue is complex and that the scope may need to be adjusted as the work progresses. The commission agreed to the work programme, with the understanding that it is iterative and can accommodate emergency issues or additions as they arise.