The Health Scrutiny Subcommittee meeting on Monday 23 February 2026 addressed significant issues concerning women's health, hospital updates, and public health. Key discussions included the findings of Healthwatch Redbridge's Women's Health Project, an update on improvements and performance at Whipps Cross Hospital, and a comprehensive health protection update.

Women's Health Project: Addressing Health Inequalities in Redbridge

Cathy Turland, Chief Executive Officer of Healthwatch Redbridge, presented the findings of the Women's Health Project, which has been examining health inequalities affecting women in Redbridge. The project, spanning three phases, focused on cervical screening access, breast screening access, and support for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

A recurring theme across all three areas was the presence of similar barriers faced by women, particularly those from seldom-heard groups, including disabled women and women from global majority backgrounds. These barriers included:

• Access Issues: Many women, especially wheelchair users, reported difficulties with physical access to facilities, such as non-adjustable consultation couches and inaccessible examination rooms. Some women also faced challenges with transport and appointment flexibility.
• Low Health Literacy: A significant number of women lacked basic knowledge about screening procedures, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and menopause symptoms. This was compounded by language barriers, with many expressing a need for information in their native languages.
• Cultural Stigma and Generational Silence: Stigma and a lack of open discussion within families and communities prevented women from seeking help or discussing their health concerns, leading to feelings of being unprepared and unsupported.
• Inadequate Clinical Support: Some women reported negative experiences with healthcare professionals, including a lack of sensitivity, rushed appointments, and inadequate information about procedures and available options, such as different speculum sizes for cervical screening.

Despite these challenges, the project also highlighted positive developments. Redbridge's breast screening rates were noted as being above the London average, and new service models were improving access. Community engagement and national campaigns were also seen as helping to break down stigma and normalise conversations around women's health.

Recommendations from the project included expanding specialist clinics, improving education and information provision, ensuring care is trauma-informed and person-centred, and championing better data collection on diversity. Healthwatch Redbridge also specifically requested support from councillors in establishing a women's health hub in Redbridge.

During the discussion, councillors raised questions about the availability of translated information, the number of breast screening locations, and the specific challenges faced by different groups. Simon Farrad, the new Executive Director for Adults Health and Social Care, expressed support for using technology to improve communication and for joined-up working between local authority and health services.

Updates from Whipps Cross Hospital

Gojit Mahal, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer at Whipps Cross Hospital, provided an update on the hospital's progress, highlighting significant capital investment and reconfiguration work. Key developments included:

• Maternity Services: The postnatal ward, Mulberry Ward, had been reconfigured and reopened, receiving positive feedback from patients and families.
• Emergency Department (ED) Reconfiguration: Substantial capital investment had been made to redesign the ED pathways and flow, with the aim of improving patient care. This work was nearing completion, with a reset of areas planned for April.
• New Multi-Storey Car Park: The first stage of the new hospital programme, a multi-storey car park, was now open.
• Operational Performance: The validated four-hour wait time for Barts Health as a whole was 71%, with Whipps Cross Hospital achieving 70% in January and 71% in February, marking an improvement.
• ED Upgrades: The ED had seen the completion of a new six-bedded recess, a purpose-built paediatric ED, a new paediatric clinical decision unit, and a new initial assessment area. The reconfiguration also included new same-day emergency care centres for medical and surgical assessments.
• Patient Satisfaction: Patient feedback for the ED was 72% positive as of December 2025, while inpatient services reported 94% positive feedback, and maternity services had moved up to 93%.

Councillors inquired about the nature of the upgrades and whether they involved job losses, with clarification that the work was focused on the physical environment. Concerns were also raised about long waiting times, particularly for those waiting over 12 hours, and patients waiting in ambulances. Mr. Mahal acknowledged these issues and stated that improvements had been made in ambulance handovers, with compliance to the 28-minute standard increasing significantly. He also committed to sharing data on 12-hour waits.

Discussions also touched upon the impact of the hospital being placed in wave two of government redevelopment plans, with councillors expressing disappointment about potential delays and their cost. There was a brief political exchange regarding responsibility for these delays.

The committee noted the positive feedback on maternity services and the ongoing work to improve patient care and reduce waiting times.

Health Protection Update

Gladys Xavier, Director of Public Health, provided a verbal update on health protection matters. Key points included:

• Respiratory Infections: Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 activity was down nationally, with no expected increase in the next 14 days. However, other respiratory illnesses like adenovirus were still being seen.
• COVID-19 Spring Booster Campaign: A spring booster campaign was planned for those over 75 and individuals aged six months to 75 who are immunosuppressed.
• RSV Vaccine: The RSV vaccine programme had been expanded to include those over 80 years old, and it could be co-administered with the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Non-Sterile Alcohol Wipes: An alert had been issued advising against the use of non-sterile alcohol wipes on open skin due to infection risks.
• Travel Advice: Ongoing advice was being provided regarding infections like Shigella and Salmonella, often contracted during travel.
• HPV Vaccine: The importance of the HPV vaccine, described as a cancer-preventing vaccine, was highlighted, with efforts to promote its uptake among boys and girls.
• Measles: While Redbridge had no confirmed measles cases, concerns were raised due to outbreaks in Enfield, and efforts were underway to ensure high MMR vaccination rates (currently 86% for MMR 1 and 85% for MMR 2 in Redbridge).
• Tuberculosis (TB): Nationally, TB rates were slowing, but Redbridge was seeing an increase in cases. A case review was requested, and efforts were being made to identify and treat those at risk early.
• Cold Mortality Report: The first-ever Cold Mortality Report for England highlighted over 2,600 deaths associated with cold episodes between November and January, primarily affecting those over 85. This was linked to preventable deaths in individuals with pre-existing conditions and wider determinants of health such as the cost of living.

Sue, presenting the annual public health report, focused on social isolation and its impact on demand for social care. She highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention for at-risk individuals.

During the discussion on health protection, councillors raised questions about HPV vaccination consent, the reasons behind the increase in TB cases, and the wider determinants of health contributing to cold mortality. The committee also noted the excellent work of Gladys Xavier as Director of Public Health, who was leaving her role.

Other Business

The committee also received updates from relevant bodies, including the Health and Care Policy Development Committee, which had visited Mel Mead House, a secondary care facility for mental health. Observations included issues with disengagement from services and the need for campaigns to tackle mental health stigma. The committee also noted the positive aspects of the visit, such as adequate funding and staffing at the facility, and the integration of individuals with lived experience into service delivery.

The Health Scrutiny Subcommittee Work Plan for 2025/26 was reviewed, with the next meeting scheduled for 21 April 2026. Future topics will include updates on maternity services, cardiovascular health, and A&E performance from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.