The Health and Care Policy Development Committee met on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, to discuss mental health services in Redbridge. The committee received a verbal report from Simon Froud, Executive Director for Adults Social Care and Health, following a visit to Melmead House, a mental health provider. Discussions focused on improving engagement with diverse communities, the integration of health and social care services, and the need for better data collection.

Mental Health Services and Engagement

The committee received a verbal report on mental health services, following a visit to Melmead House, a provider of mental health services in Redbridge. Simon Froud, Executive Director for Adults Social Care and Health, highlighted that housing issues and disengagement from services were recurring themes. Mr. Froud suggested that a hyper-localised awareness campaign could help improve engagement with diverse communities within Redbridge.

During the visit to Melmead House, councillors observed positive examples of co-production, where individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions are employed within the service. One individual shared his positive experience with the service, stating it had been perfect so far. The committee also discussed the potential for a visit to the newly established Crisis Café, a facility offering support and crisis intervention.

Councillor Jyotsna Rahman Islam raised concerns about the clarity of information for informal carers regarding support services, particularly following hospital discharges. The committee agreed to seek written responses to clarify how hospital colleagues ensure patients are equipped with information on where to seek support upon discharge.

Integration of Health and Social Care Services

A significant portion of the discussion centred on the review of Section 75 agreements, which govern the integration of health and social care services. Mr. Froud noted that a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection had identified areas for improvement, particularly concerning safeguarding processes and inter-agency working between Redbridge Council and NELFT (North East London Foundation Trust).

The review aims to enhance the integration of services, ensuring co-location and streamlined referral processes. Mr. Froud emphasised the importance of place-based community hubs where joint teams can offer a range of support. He indicated that the review process would involve collaborative conversations with staff and individuals with lived experience, with a projected timeline for feedback in the middle to latter part of the year.

Data Collection and Performance Monitoring

The committee stressed the need for improved data collection and performance monitoring within mental health services. Councillor Jyotsna Rahman Islam requested more comprehensive data sets to measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Mr. Froud acknowledged the difficulty in pinpointing specific data requirements but outlined the existing data collection processes within Adult Social Care, including assessments, safeguarding concerns, and outcomes. He also mentioned the national Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) as a mechanism for data collection and comparison.

The discussion highlighted challenges in data integration due to different client-based systems and the impact of recent directorate changes within the council. Mr. Froud committed to working with his performance team to identify and provide the requested data, acknowledging that this is a priority alongside managing current demand and addressing CQC improvement plans.

Health and Care Policy Development Committee Work Plan

The committee reviewed and agreed upon the Health and Care Policy Development Committee Work Plan for 2025-2026. The plan outlines upcoming topics and witness engagements, including future discussions on Adult Social Care and Health with Councillor Mark Santos, Simon Froud, Lisa Redfern, and Wesley Scarry. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for 25 March 2026.