The Health Scrutiny Sub-committee was scheduled to receive updates from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and on health protection matters. Discussions were also planned regarding cardiovascular disease prevention initiatives within Redbridge.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT). This update was expected to cover maternity care, emergency care, patient survey results, and waiting times. Documents provided for the meeting included details from the 2024 Care Quality Commission (CQC) Urgent and Emergency Care Survey, which indicated that while patient experience was best in areas such as staff providing help while waiting and controlling pain, improvements were needed in care after leaving A&E and informing patients about their condition. The survey also highlighted that BHRUT had seen a significant increase in patient attendance, with Queen's Hospital experiencing more than double its designed capacity. The Trust had implemented initiatives to improve patient flow and reduce corridor care, and had seen improvements in its maternity unit, which was rated 'Good' by the CQC in August 2025 following intensive improvement work.

The report pack also detailed BHRUT's performance in addressing waiting lists, noting a previous improvement before the introduction of their new electronic patient record (EPR) in November, which had impacted performance. Cancer performance figures were also to be discussed, with the Trust meeting the target for patients starting treatment within 31 days, but not meeting the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard or the 62-day treatment standard. The Trust had invested in diagnostics and surgery, including new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) and theatres at its King George Hospital Surgical Hub.

Health Protection Update

A health protection update was scheduled to be provided by the Interim Director of Public Health. This update was expected to cover respiratory and winter surveillance, with national flu, RSV, and COVID-19 activity trending downwards. The COVID Spring booster and RSV programmes were to be discussed, alongside a public alert regarding the risk of infection from non-sterile alcohol wipes. Travel health advice was to be given due to ongoing cases of shigella and salmonella.

The update was also to include information on the HPV vaccine, measles, and tuberculosis (TB). Regarding measles, Redbridge's MMR vaccination rates were reported as 86% for MMR1 and 85% for MMR2, an increase from the previous year, with no Redbridge measles cases reported at the time of the meeting. An increase in TB cases in Redbridge was noted, with a request for a case review and emphasis on partnership working. The report also mentioned a new Cold Mortality Report for England, highlighting preventable deaths linked to cold episodes.

Additionally, the Annual Public Health Report 2025/26 was to be presented, focusing on how public health initiatives could reduce demand on Adult and Children's Social Care. Key drivers of demand such as multimorbidity, aging, poor housing, poverty, and social isolation were to be discussed, with a focus on preventing frailty and falls. Redbridge was noted as having the second-highest emergency admissions for falls in North East London. Recommendations included embedding prevention and early intervention, improving data systems, adopting a health and care in all policies approach, and developing a healthy ageing strategy.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Initiatives

The committee was scheduled to consider a report summarising cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention initiatives in Redbridge, with a focus on reducing inequalities in CVD outcomes. The report highlighted that CVD remains a significant cause of premature death, ill health, and inequalities in London, and that it is largely preventable. The NHS 10-Year Plan identifies CVD as a top priority for saving lives.

The report detailed that CVD causes 1 in 4 deaths in England and is a leading cause of morbidity and disability. Modifiable risk factors such as obesity, diet, alcohol, smoking, and physical inactivity were discussed, alongside treatable conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While there had been progress in reducing premature CVD deaths, this progress had stalled since 2014. The report noted that Redbridge's hospital admissions for coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure were worse than the England average, although hospital admissions for CHD had reduced over time.

The report outlined ongoing efforts in Redbridge to address modifiable CVD risk factors, including a whole systems approach to tackling obesity and a commitment to increasing physical activity through the Redbridge Physical Activity Strategy. Services such as a Tier 2 weight management service, an Exercise on Referral (EOR) programme, and community-based physical activity sessions were described. Smoking cessation initiatives, including the 'Redbridge Quits Smoking' service, were also mentioned.

Specific CVD prevention initiatives planned for discussion included the NHS Health Check Programme, which aims to identify and support individuals aged 40-74 to manage their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. A mobile health check programme for rough sleepers in Redbridge in 2023 was also highlighted. The Redbridge Health Bus project, which provides clinical services and health education in deprived areas, was to be discussed, along with the Health Inequalities CVD Improvement Programme, a collaboration focused on improving clinical access, experience, and outcomes for Black and Asian communities. Finally, the Million Hearts and Minds Challenge, a London-wide programme aimed at improving cardiovascular health outcomes and reducing inequalities, was to be presented.