The Health Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the early impact of the council's new healthy weight commissioning model and receive an update on the Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Service.

Healthy Weight Commissioning Update

The committee received a comprehensive update on the new healthy weight strategy, which moves away from traditional, individual-focused weight management programmes towards a whole-system, community-led approach. DDM Health, the commissioned partner, has spent the first six months gathering insights from over 250 residents and stakeholders. Key themes emerging from this engagement include the need for a one-stop shop for accessible support, practical food skills education, improved access to safe and inclusive physical activity, and addressing the impact of cost, transport, and the local environment on healthy choices.

Residents expressed a desire for long-term, sustainable initiatives rather than short-term fixes, and highlighted the importance of community leadership and trust. The strategy is built around four pillars: a clear borough offer and navigation model, life-course delivery focusing on prevention and early intervention, inclusion by design, and place-based action. DDM Health is developing a recommendations report and a phased delivery plan, including pilot initiatives. The committee was informed that the development of a central hub for healthy weight support is expected to take approximately six months, with a focus on creating a single point of access for both self-referrals and professional referrals.

Discussions also touched upon the challenges of engaging young people, with learning from work in Barnet highlighting the effectiveness of school-based programmes and digital engagement. The cultural perception of a plumper child being a sign of affluence was also raised as an issue to be addressed through education and sensitivity. The importance of practical food skills, including cooking and understanding ingredients, was emphasised, with plans to incorporate these into pilot programmes. The long-term nature of addressing unhealthy weight was acknowledged, with a focus on building sustainable models that can continue beyond the initial 18-month pilot phase. The committee heard that the new approach aims to be inclusive of individuals with neurodiversity and severe mental illnesses, with tailored support being a key consideration.

The report also detailed the work of the Physical Inactivity Place Partnership (PIPP) and the Good Food Programme, both of which align with the broader healthy weight strategy. The Gro Health platform, a digital tool developed by DDM Health, was presented as a resource that can support personalised weight management through education, behavioural change activities, and tracking tools.

Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Service Update

The committee received an update on the Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Service (ISHS) provided by BHRUT. The service, which has been operating since 2018 and is currently undergoing evaluation for contract renewal, aims to deliver high-quality, accessible services to improve sexual health outcomes. The service operates from Barking Community Hospital, with satellite sites in Redbridge and Havering, and also offers specialist HIV services funded by NHS England.

Patient feedback indicates a consistently high quality of service, with a 95.8% positive experience rating. The service delivers approximately 12,000 appointments annually for genito-urinary medicine and 12,000 for contraception. Outreach work is being undertaken to reach hard-to-reach groups, including individuals experiencing homelessness, with four STI diagnoses identified and managed through these efforts. Partnership working with primary care, voluntary organisations, and substance misuse services is a key element of their approach.

The service is actively supporting the HIV Action Plan for England, focusing on prevention, testing, treatment, and improving quality of life. They manage 1,300 HIV patients, with 450 residing in Barking and Dagenham, and have diagnosed 36 new HIV cases in the past 12 months. The service also provides pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) and participates in the Blood Borne Virus Screening program in A&E departments. Antenatal care provision for women living with HIV is coordinated between HIV and antenatal teams, with a focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Discussions also covered safeguarding measures, including protocols for vulnerable individuals, and the importance of patient anonymity. The committee heard about the challenges faced by staff regarding violence and aggression, and the measures in place to manage patient behaviour, including a red card system for serious incidents. Practical steps for outreach to digitally excluded individuals, those with learning disabilities, and non-English speakers were detailed, including the use of language lines, translated materials, and partnerships with community organisations. The service confirmed that homeless individuals can access services without prior GP registration.

Other Business

The committee noted the minutes from the previous meeting held on 10 December 2025. They also resolved not to appoint a further member to the Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as the structure of this committee is expected to change. The committee's work programme was also noted.