The Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission met on Monday 2 March 2026 to discuss patient experiences of sickle cell care, the Care Quality Commission's assessment of Hackney Adult Social Care, and updates on the Transforming Outcomes Programme within Adult Social Care. The meeting also reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and the Commission's work programme.

Patient Voice: Sickle Cell Care in Hackney – What Has Changed 10 Years On?

The commission was scheduled to consider a report from Healthwatch Hackney following up on its 2015 review of sickle cell care at Homerton Hospital. The report, titled 'Sickle Cell Care in Hackney – What Has Changed 10 Years On?', details findings from a focus group and 'Enter & View' visits conducted between June and November 2025. The report highlights that patient experience of sickle cell care varies significantly depending on where care is accessed, describing this as a postcode lottery within the system. It includes recommendations for Homerton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lloyd Ward, and the North-East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB). A response from Homerton Healthcare was also scheduled to be discussed.

CQC Assessment of Hackney Adult Social Care

A briefing was scheduled on the Council's response to the recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of Hackney Adult Social Care. This was the first department-wide inspection under a new CQC regime. The assessment evaluated how well Hackney Council meets its duties under Part 1 of the Care Act, using nine quality statements across four themes. The council received an overall rating of 'Requires Improvement', just one point below a 'Good' rating. The report attached to this agenda item provided feedback on the assessment and the council's response.

Transforming Outcomes Programme in Adult Social Care: Spotlight on Reablement

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Transforming Outcomes Programme (TOP) in Adult Social Care, with a specific focus on reablement. The first phase of the TOP ran from November 2023 to March 2025, and the programme has since transitioned to its second phase. The update was expected to cover the financial performance of the TOP, the scope of its second phase, and a detailed briefing on the reablement workstream, including its vision, objectives, delivery to date, future plans, case studies, and financial benefit projections.

TOP in Adult Social Care: Update on Disabled Facilities Grant Adaptations

An update was scheduled on the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) adaptations, following a previous discussion on this topic in February 2025. A dedicated project ran from September 2023 to December 2025 to redesign the DFG adaptation pathway as part of the TOP. The update was expected to cover the project's purpose, focus, status, and the changes made, including the launch of a new DFG Home Adaptations Service within Adult Social Care. It was also intended to provide an update on waiting times and performance dashboards.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Work Programme

The commission was scheduled to review and agree the draft minutes of its previous meeting held on 12 February 2026, and to note the updated Action Tracker. Additionally, the commission was to review its updated work programme for 2025-26.