The North West London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) is scheduled to meet on 9 December 2025, at Hounslow House, to discuss several key healthcare issues affecting the region. These include urgent and emergency care delivery, implementation of same day access in primary care, application of continuing healthcare criteria and SEN continence service. The meeting will provide an opportunity for committee members to review progress, address challenges, and shape future strategies related to these services.

Urgent and Emergency Care Delivery

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on urgent and emergency care (UEC) across North West London. The report, authored by Melissa Mellett, Associate Director UEC, will focus on performance, system resilience and preparations for winter 2025/26.

The report highlights key achievements including:

• The launch of the Integrated Care Coordination Hub (ICC). The report states that since October, the ICC has been bringing >senior clinical decision making into a single NWL wide function...already reducing avoidable ambulance conveyance and improving patient routing and is expected to manage up to 900 cases per month as it fully matures.
• Record levels of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC).
• Strengthened community and mental health alternatives.
• Improved handover, response and ED performance.
• Evidence-based impact for high need and underserved groups.
• Digital front door and Optica roll out¹.
• Discharge performance and flow improvements.

The report also notes that challenges remain, particularly around rising demand, mental health waits, community workforce fragility and virtual ward utilisation.

Implementation of the Same Day Access Model in Primary Care

The committee is scheduled to discuss the implementation of the same day access model in primary care. The report pack includes a presentation that references the ICB's revised strategy for improving access, and online consultations to support same day access. The presentation also includes an overview of the access programme and access specification, and specification progress across key targets. Performance metrics across North West London are scheduled to be presented, and the presentation also details a vision for change management during surges, continuous improvement, and value for money initiatives. The presentation also includes findings from engagement activities, including the GP Patient Survey, and patient and staff feedback. The ICB's communication with residents and practices on access plans, PCN-led approaches to engage patients and communities, and a general practice action plan to tackle unwarranted variation are also scheduled to be discussed. Ongoing work to ensure equitable access provision across North West London, next steps and proposed changes to access services and specifications, and key risks and mitigations are also scheduled to be discussed.

Application of the Continuing Health Care Criteria

The committee is scheduled to discuss the application of the continuing healthcare (CHC) criteria in North West London. The report, authored by Anne Middleton, Director of Nursing, and Jennifer Roye, Chief Nursing Officer, both at NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB), focuses on adult CHC and funded nursing care (FNC) provision.

Key messages in the report include:

• North West London ICB funds more CHC eligible individuals than any other ICB in London.
• The number of referrals and patients funded have exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
• Post pandemic, the ICB has worked to ensure consistency of approach in all of its London boroughs.
• Conversion rates for adult CHC funded care remain above London average across North West London, with some borough variations.
• Fast Track referrals are above London and national average.
• The number of individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism eligible for CHC funded care has increased significantly over the past couple of years.

The report also notes that the NWL ICB holds the largest CHC caseload both nationally and within London based on actual patient numbers. The report also states that the ICB is committed to identifying and addressing health inequalities across all service provision, including CHC.

SEN Continence Service

The committee is scheduled to discuss the Special Educational Needs (SEN) continence service. The report, authored by Duncan Ambrose, Assistant Director, and Temilola Englezos, Project Officer, both at NWL ICB, offers a review of current service models, highlights gaps, and supports the development of more equitable, person-centred care.

The report notes that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) often face complex health and care challenges, including continence issues. The report also notes that across North West London, there is notable variation in how these services are commissioned, delivered, and accessed.

The report also includes contributions from Parent-Carer Forums across north west London, and a joint statement from the Directors of Public Health in Brent Council, Ealing Council, Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Harrow Council, Hillingdon Council, Hounslow Council, Kensington & Chelsea Council, and Westminster Council.

Other Business

The committee is also scheduled to discuss the North West London JHOSC Recommendations Tracker and the North West London JHOSC 2025/26 Work Programme.