The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission met on Tuesday 29 April 2025 to discuss emerging matters, community mental health services, and leisure services. Key decisions included noting updates on the CQC inspection of adult social care services and the ongoing development of community mental health services, as well as reviewing the impact of the new leisure services provider, Better.

Update on Emerging Matters

The Commission received an update on the ongoing Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of adult social care services, which is expected to conclude in the summer. Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Lead for Health and Adult Social Care, reassured the committee that they would be kept informed throughout the process. The Commission also discussed the cessation of services for older residents, clarifying that this related to day opportunities and that individual consultations were underway to find suitable alternative services.

A significant national development discussed was the government's intention to abolish NHS England and return direct control to the Department of Health. This has led to a requirement for all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to reduce their running costs by 50% by the end of the calendar year. Joe Fraser-Wise, Newham Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery, confirmed that guidance on how to achieve this reduction is still awaited, but acknowledged that the ICB had already made 30% reductions in running costs. The Commission noted this as an area to monitor due to its potential impact on local services.

The Commission also discussed the implications of a recent court ruling on the definition of a woman, with Councillor Danny Keeling raising concerns about potential impacts on mental health services, particularly given Newham's high number of transgender residents. While it was too early to determine the exact implications, partners from the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) and Newham University Hospital (NUH) confirmed their commitment to treating all individuals with kindness and compassion, focusing on patient needs.

Community Mental Health Services

The Commission evaluated the current community mental health services model in Newham and the development of the Tower Hamlets 24/7 Community Mental Health pilot. Michael Jones, Joint Head of Strategic Planning and Programmes for Mental Health at ELFT, explained that Newham's community mental health services are broadly divided into Core and Specialist teams, with notable differences including a Community Recovery Team & Inpatient Continuity Model and the retention of medically-led outpatient services.

The pilot in Tower Hamlets, inspired by the Trieste model of community-based mental healthcare, aims to provide 24/7 open access, with features including hospitality beds and a strong emphasis on co-production with service users. Jane Fernandez, a service user involved in shaping the pilot, highlighted the importance of peer support workers and being treated with respect and compassion. She shared her personal experience, suggesting that such a service could have prevented a previous hospital admission.

The Commission heard that Newham is also committed to developing a Trieste-inspired model within its existing resources, focusing on integrating services and improving access. The pilot is scheduled to launch on 12 May and will run for 14 months. The long-term funding for the pilot remains uncertain, but partners are keen to see it continue if successful.

Leisure Services

The Commission assessed the impact of the transition to Better (Greenwich Leisure Limited, GLL) as Newham's leisure services provider. Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Lead for Health and Adult Social Care, highlighted that leisure is integral to the council's 50 Steps to Healthier Newham Strategy and that the new contract with GLL represents a move away from a deficit model towards a more community-driven approach.

Jason Strelitz, Corporate Director for Adults and Health, presented data from the Active Lives Survey, showing a positive trend in physical activity levels among adults and children in Newham over the past five years. However, he acknowledged that a significant proportion of the population remains inactive, and reaching these groups is a key focus for the leisure provider.

Paul Lister, Head of Service for GLL, provided an overview of the changes implemented since taking over the contract, including extended opening hours, increased class capacities, and a focus on community engagement. He highlighted the introduction of a free resident card offering a 10% discount and the expansion of membership options to cater to various needs and income levels. The Commission also discussed the importance of social prescribing and the role of leisure centres in supporting wider health outcomes, with representatives from Sport England and London Sport sharing insights on best practices.

The M2 Club programme, aimed at improving confidence and physical activity among primary school-aged girls, was also discussed. Research presented indicated significant benefits in physical development, social outcomes, and mental wellbeing, with girls reporting increased confidence and resilience.

Work Programme

The Commission reviewed and noted the remaining items in its work programme for the year. The next meeting was scheduled for 29 April 2025.