The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel of Greenwich Council met on Thursday, 29 January 2026, to discuss the borough's approach to mental health and its progress towards becoming an age-friendly community. The panel also reviewed the council's food response strategy and the Director of Public Health's annual report on health inequalities.

Tackling Food Inequalities

The panel received an overview of Greenwich's work on food insecurity, which has been recognised with a Good Food London Award. A case study from Sophie Amos of Roots for Life highlighted the role of community organisations in providing food access, skills development, and social support. Officers presented data on the link between unhealthy diets, obesity, and preventable illnesses, noting significant inequalities related to deprivation and ethnicity, particularly in childhood obesity rates. Current interventions include infant feeding support, holiday meals, food pantries, community meals, cookery clubs, and food-growing initiatives. A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is being developed to inform a borough-wide food strategy. Discussions also covered a proposed breast pump loan scheme, the uptake of holiday meals in libraries, and the early stages of a food-growing initiative in prisons. Members raised concerns about higher obesity rates among ethnic minority communities and the external factors, such as pricing and marketing of ultra-processed foods, that contribute to food inequality, suggesting the need for national legislative action. The panel noted Greenwich's leadership in food policy across London and expressed interest in visiting local food initiatives. The panel resolved to note the council's food response.

Addressing Health Inequalities

The Director of Public Health's annual report, focusing on health inequalities, was presented, emphasising the need for a collective, council-wide approach. The report highlighted that despite progress, many residents, particularly those in deprived communities, experience poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancies. The Director explained health inequalities as unfair, avoidable, and systemic differences, linking them to factors such as housing, education, employment, income, and the physical environment, as well as behavioural risks like poor diet and inactivity. The report advocated for an equity-based approach, tailoring responses to need and removing barriers to access. The proposed Health Equity Framework centres on partnership working, place-based approaches, life-course interventions, and proportional universalism. Planned next steps include co-producing priority partnership programmes, developing a health equity toolkit and data dashboard, and delivering a Health Equity Summit in March 2026. Members questioned the practicalities of community engagement and how to reach vulnerable groups. The Director explained the use of population health management to identify at-risk communities and the importance of meaningful co-production. The panel also discussed the embedding of mental health prevention and early intervention within the public health approach, noting targeted interventions for serious mental illness and preventative work for children and young people. Concerns were raised about young people's mental health, vaping, social media, and access to services. The Cabinet Member concluded by stressing the importance of embedding health equity into council decision-making. The panel welcomed the report and expressed strong support for the Health Equity Framework. The panel resolved to consider the Director of Public Health Annual report focusing on Health Inequalities.

Developing an Age-Friendly Borough

The panel reviewed a report assessing the borough's progress in becoming an age-friendly community, examining how policies, services, and infrastructure support the wellbeing, independence, and inclusion of older residents. The report mapped the council's current activities against the eight domains of the World Health Organisation (WHO) framework for age-friendly cities and communities. While Greenwich is not yet a formal member of the WHO Global Network, the report detailed a sustained commitment to supporting older residents through its Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Health and Adult Services Vision, and the Adult Carer's Strategy. Examples of initiatives include the development of additional extra care apartments, the Strong and Steady programme for balance and mobility, and the integration of age-friendly principles into the emerging Local Plan and urban regeneration frameworks. The report outlined the steps required to become a WHO age-friendly borough, including stakeholder involvement, developing a baseline assessment, and creating a borough-wide action plan, a process typically taking 3-5 years. The panel was invited to consider formally adopting Age-Friendly Community membership as a corporate objective and to outline proposed next steps, including governance and resource implications. The panel resolved to consider the age friendly borough report and make recommendations to the Executive if necessary.

Mental Health Vision into Action

The panel considered the Mental Health Vision into Action report, which assesses how the borough's Mental Health Vision has been translated into real-world actions. The report highlighted that the Vision, finalised in April 2024 following engagement with residents and staff, identified gaps in support, including long-term care, out-of-hours support, bereavement services, and the need for culturally competent and trauma-informed services. The report detailed the establishment of a Mental Health System wide Review Programme to address these issues, aiming to improve outcomes, strengthen prevention, and embed co-production. Progress since the Vision's launch includes work to strengthen the Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway, support the relocation of South East London Mind's community services, and develop a therapeutic allotment and green space project. The report also outlined national and local trends in mental health needs, with a rise in common mental health conditions, particularly among young adults, women, and those in deprived areas. The Mental Health System Review Programme aims to improve outcomes, define productivity, formalise partnerships, strengthen adherence to legal responsibilities, and embed co-production. The panel noted that while good progress has been made in areas such as hospital discharge packages and supported accommodation, areas for improvement include consistent performance monitoring and finalising delegated social care functions. The report also detailed alignment with the NHS 10-year plan and the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. The panel resolved to consider the report on Mental Health Vision into Action and make recommendations to the Executive, if necessary.

Public Questions on Agenda Items

No public questions were received for the meeting. The panel resolved to note the public questions on agenda items.

The panel also reviewed scheduled items for its next meeting on 29 January 2026, which will include further discussion on the Age Friendly Borough and Mental Health Vision into Action reports. The panel resolved to note the commissioning of future reports.