The Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to receive information briefings on two key topics. These include an update on the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan and minutes from a previous Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting.

Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan Update

The committee will receive an update on the progress of the Tackling Loneliness Strategy Action Plan 2022-2026. This strategy, approved in November 2021, aims to mitigate loneliness by bringing together statutory, private, and voluntary partners across Bromley. The action plan focuses on three priorities: organisation and services, community infrastructure that empowers social connections, and building a culture that encourages strong social relationships.

Progress highlighted in the report includes:

• The Tackling Loneliness Workshop, which has seen 724 attendees since March 2023.
• Bromley Well befriending services reporting that 100% of clients feel more confident and less isolated.
• Faith groups providing over 921 services across Bromley.
• The upcoming reopening of the Innovation Fund in January 2026 to support grassroots organisations.
• The Tackling Loneliness Christmas Card scheme, which saw 1,836 cards distributed to various community groups.
• The Principal Loneliness Champion's work with public health and integrated neighbourhood teams to promote creative and social health initiatives.
• Plans to develop a Bromley Voluntary Sector Convention to enhance collaboration with the third sector.

The report indicates no direct financial, legal, personnel, procurement, property, or IT implications arising from this update, with any future implications to be reported separately. The strategy aligns with Bromley Council's Making Bromley Even Better priority, aiming for fulfilled lives for adults and older people and efficient resource management.

Minutes from the Special Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee Meeting

The committee will also review the minutes from the Special Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 November 2025. A significant portion of this meeting focused on an update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust regarding the reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH).

Key discussions from the previous meeting included:

• Reconfiguration of Haematology Services: Representatives from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provided an update on proposals to reconfigure haematology services. This involved discussions about potentially centralising specialist treatments at Denmark Hill and expanding day case and outpatient services at the PRUH.
• Patient Impact and Engagement: Concerns were raised regarding the impact on patients, including travel times, family visits, and the potential loss of local inpatient services. The Trust acknowledged that initial engagement had not been sufficient and committed to further consultation.
• Clinical Rationale and Workforce: The clinical case for change was presented, highlighting the need to meet national standards, enhance workforce stability, and provide access to clinical trials and advanced treatments. Discussions also covered the impact on specialist nursing staff and medical staff, with a focus on retaining expertise and ensuring staff support.
• Operational Details: Questions were raised about the specific use of ward space, the number of beds, and the pathways for emergency admissions. The Trust explained that while Denmark Hill offers highly specialised treatments, they aimed to maintain and expand outpatient and day case services at the PRUH.
• Financial Considerations: An initial financial analysis suggested potential savings, though detailed costings were still under development.

The minutes also detail written and oral questions submitted by councillors and members of the public, along with the responses provided by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. These questions delved into specific aspects of the proposed service changes, including the availability of clinical trials, the impact on patient care, and the consultation process with staff and stakeholders.