The Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council met on Monday 26 January 2026 to discuss a range of health-related issues. Key topics included updates on health protection, primary care services, and the ongoing restructuring of the NHS. The committee also addressed concerns regarding the future of Healthwatch and the impact of NHS reorganisation on staff.

Health Protection Update

Gladys Xavier, Director of Public Health and Commissioning, provided an update on various health protection matters. COVID-19 levels were reported to be declining nationally and across London, with plans for a spring vaccination program targeting those over 75 and at-risk individuals. Flu levels were also low, though vaccine fatigue among residents was noted. There was a significant concern regarding a 60% increase in norovirus cases nationally, with outbreaks in care homes and schools, although Redbridge had not experienced any outbreaks due to continued emphasis on hand hygiene with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitisers are ineffective against norovirus.

Updates were also given on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which was stable and declining, and the circulation of other respiratory flu viruses, particularly affecting young children with croup. The committee was informed about the ongoing MMR and varicella (chickenpox) vaccination program, and an alert regarding potential toxins in infant products from Nestlé, which had led to product withdrawals. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month was highlighted, with a focus on encouraging HPV vaccinations. Finally, an alert regarding two cases of the Nipah virus in India was mentioned, with ongoing surveillance by UKHSA. Overall vaccination coverage in Redbridge was reported to be higher than the previous year.

Primary Care Update

Natalie Keefe, Head of Primary Care, presented an update on the primary care landscape in Redbridge. She highlighted the challenges faced by GP practices, including their status as independent businesses, significant patient list turnover, and the impact of an aging and growing population, particularly in areas of deprivation. Keefe noted that since the Access Recovery Plan, there had been a focus on improving GP access, with most practices now using online triage systems and offering 20% more appointments than in 2019, despite GP numbers remaining largely unchanged.

The presentation also covered the NHS Long-Term Plan's emphasis on shifting care to the community and embracing digital solutions. All Redbridge practices had transitioned to digital telephone systems, and the majority were using online triage. Patient survey results showed that while some practices were still in the lower performance groups across North East London, six Redbridge practices were among the most improved. Redbridge was also highlighted as the top borough in North East London for immunisations, particularly flu and childhood immunisations, for the past two years. The uptake of the NHS App was also strong in Redbridge, with efforts focused on encouraging patients to sign up and enable notifications. Funding was secured to bring nine centres across North East London, including three in Redbridge (Locksford Health Centre, Kenwood Gardens Health Centre, and South Woodford Health Centre), into clinical use by converting underutilised space into clinical rooms.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the impact of deprivation on primary care demand and the need for adequate resources. Natalie Keefe explained that the current funding formula for general practice, while considering deprivation, was being reviewed nationally to ensure it adequately reflected the needs of areas with higher deprivation and older populations. The committee also discussed the challenges of patients accessing GP appointments, with a move towards online triage and appointments with various clinical team members, not just GPs. The role of social prescribing and health and wellbeing coaching was also highlighted as crucial for addressing the wider determinants of health impacting patients. Tracy, from the ICB, mentioned a pilot for children's and young people's care coordinators in Redbridge, with the potential for wider rollout. A new population health management tool was also being rolled out across North East London, which could help identify health needs in deprived areas and facilitate proactive care.

ICB Funding, Healthwatch and Patient Safety

Gita Malhotra from Healthwatch Redbridge provided an update on the potential abolition of Healthwatch services as announced in the Dash Review. She explained that Healthwatch is a statutory service and its future is dependent on upcoming legislation. While funding for the next financial year (2026-27) was secured for Redbridge Healthwatch, there was uncertainty about the long-term provision of independent patient voice. Malhotra noted that the Secretary of State had expressed views that patient listening should not be farmed out to arm's length bodies, but the effectiveness of information gathered remained a key concern. The committee discussed the importance of maintaining an independent voice and agreed to keep the issue of patient safety and the future of Healthwatch on its agenda for future meetings.

Update on NHS Restructuring and New Leadership

Tracey provided an update on the ongoing restructuring of the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Dr. Nena Asuji was announced as the new Chief Executive, starting in March. The ICB was tasked by the government and NHS England to reduce running costs by 50%, leading to a staff consultation on proposed new structures. The process of selection and redundancy was expected to take place between February and May, with compulsory redundancies served by June. A voluntary redundancy scheme had also been in place. A recruitment freeze was in effect, with exceptions for specific clinical staff requiring a triple lock approval. The committee expressed sympathy for ICB staff undergoing this process and noted that a report on the outcome of the consultation would be provided at a future meeting.

Update from Relevant Bodies

The Chair provided updates from various relevant bodies. The BHRUT urgent care patient survey was postponed to January due to an electronic records rollout and staff demands. Updates were given on NHS ICB leadership transitions and ongoing restructuring across North East London. The Whipps Cross Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) remained in abeyance. Councillor Brough reported on the Health and Care Policy Development Committee, noting progress in obtaining new data and a planned visit and public meeting regarding mental health experiences in Redbridge.

Health Scrutiny Sub-committee Work Plan

The committee reviewed and noted the updated Health Scrutiny Sub-committee Work Plan for the remainder of the corporate year. The plan included provisional items on NELFT's mental health services, cervical screening, and updates from the Cancer Alliance. The committee agreed to postpone the discussion on the BHRUT Emergency Care and Patient Survey results and waiting times update to the April meeting, also to include a presentation from Barts Health Trust on Whipps Cross Hospital. The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, 23 February 2026.