The Health & Wellbeing Board meeting included discussions on homelessness, changes to the Integrated Care Board, and community equipment services. The board was also scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund submission for 2025/26.

Ambition 4 Review: Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

The Health & Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss a report profiling work across system partners to support early intervention for homelessness and rough sleeping, with a focus on preventative work, hospital discharge, and health interventions. The report, titled Ambition 4 Review: We Have A Good Quality Home, noted that homelessness is a complex issue affected by social and economic factors, as well as government policy.

The report stated that statutory homelessness has increased in recent years, and that the ending of private rented sector tenancies is one of the biggest drivers of homelessness. It also noted that most homelessness applications come from residents of Global Majority communities.

The report highlighted the impact of homelessness on health, stating that there is an established link between poor housing and adverse physical and mental well-being. It also noted that children growing up in unstable housing are less likely to reach their full cognitive development, achieve lower educational attainment, and experience poorer health outcomes.

The report outlined opportunities for housing and health services to work together, such as aligning health and housing efforts to develop integrated approaches that address the complex needs of people experiencing rough sleeping.

The report included data on homelessness in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. In the fourth quarter of 2024/25, Westminster had 1,001 people rough sleeping, while Kensington and Chelsea had 81. Westminster had 3,996 households living in temporary accommodation, while Kensington and Chelsea had 2,140.

The report detailed prevention and early intervention initiatives in both Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster. In Kensington and Chelsea, these included:

• Preventing Homelessness Outreach Team
• Housing and Employment Team
• Accommodation Solutions service
• Targeted domestic violence support

In Westminster, these included:

• Rough Sleeping Support Service
• Transitional Housing Approach (THA) support and move on service
• Floating Support Service
• Mental Health supported accommodation pathway

The report also noted that Public Health commissions substance misuse services across Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.

The report summarised Westminster's approach to tackling homelessness, which is based on four commitments: early prevention, crisis response, re-housing and recovery, and re-settlement. It also noted that Westminster is working to widen temporary accommodation provision and has a range of services commissioned to support those who are street homeless.

The report also summarised Kensington and Chelsea's approach to tackling homelessness, which includes early intervention, providing suitable accommodation for homeless households, and reducing rough sleeping.

The report detailed health interventions for people experiencing homelessness, including specialist health services, mental health and outreach services, and strategic collaboration between health, housing, and social care.

Community Equipment Update

The Health & Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive an update on community equipment services following the liquidation of NRS Healthcare Ltd on 1 August 2025. NRS Healthcare Ltd had contracts across the UK to provide community equipment services, as well as other services such as Telecare and Occupational Therapy services.

The Local Government Association (LGA) and London Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have been supporting local authorities with meetings to agree unilateral responses and to represent local authorities at meetings with both the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

The report stated that the boroughs belonging to the London Community Equipment Consortium have undertaken several emergency direct awards to a variety of service providers. The interim service arrangements across boroughs are operating only for urgent and critical cases, and fully functional service provision across the Consortium member boroughs is in the process of being implemented and is at different stages across the boroughs.

The Integrated Commissioning Team has commissioned 24/7 Health Care to deliver the temporary community equipment service for an initial 6-month period. The service was fully live on 28 August and provides supply of equipment, delivery, collections, repairs, storage, decontamination and servicing.

The Complex Occupational Therapy (OT) service in Westminster is now being provided by The Occupational Therapy Practice (TOTP).

Integrated Care Board Changes

The Health & Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive an update on the proposed changes to the Integrated Care System¹ and NHS England structures.