The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to discuss a range of important health and safety matters affecting the borough. Key topics on the agenda include an update on mental health services transformation, a review of the North Middlesex University Hospital's maternity service following recent inspections, and the annual report from the Health and Wellbeing Board. The panel will also receive updates on the measles epidemic in Enfield and performance monitoring from the Safer Stronger Communities Board.

Mental Health Services Transformation

The panel is set to receive an update on the transformation plans for mental health services provided by the North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT). This report will cover the latest plans for improvements in local mental health services, acknowledging the significant financial challenges facing the NHS and a reduced national focus on mental health. Andrew Wright, Chief of Staff for NLFT, and Gary Passaway, Managing Director for NLFT, are expected to present the update and answer questions. The NLFT has recently merged with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and provides a range of mental health services across North London. The presentation will likely detail national priorities for mental health services over the next three years, including expanding mental health support teams in schools, reducing waiting times for children's services, and improving access to talking therapies. Specific initiatives for Enfield residents are also expected to be discussed, such as strengthening dementia diagnosis and care pathways, and the introduction of a new Older Adults Home Treatment Team based at Chase Farm, Enfield, aimed at providing specialist crisis care at home. Additionally, plans for a 24/7 Crisis and Emergency Care Centre in Enfield and improvements to patient flow for mental health inpatient and crisis care are scheduled to be covered.

North Middlesex University Hospital Maternity Service Update

A report will be presented to the panel concerning the North Middlesex University Hospital's maternity service, focusing on the improvements made following inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The service was rated 'inadequate' in 2023 and 'requires improvement' in 2025. The report will summarise the progress made in addressing the CQC's 'Must Do' and 'Should Do' actions. The maternity service entered the Maternity Safety Support Programme (MSSP) in February 2024 and is expected to exit in June 2026, reflecting significant improvements. The panel will be informed about the current status of the CQC action plan, including regulatory breaches identified in 2023 and 2025 concerning safe care and treatment, good governance, and staffing. Manjit Roseghini, Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing at North Middlesex University Hospital, is listed as the report author. The report highlights that while many actions have been completed, some remain in progress due to issues such as the quality of evidence or the need for further embedding of improvements. Key areas for continued focus include staff training compliance, reviewing and redesigning the bereavement room, and ensuring improvements are sustainable.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report

The panel will receive the annual report from the Health and Wellbeing Board, which provides a strategic update on progress against the board's agreed priorities. Established as a statutory body, the board aims to provide strategic direction and leadership across the borough, working with partners from the NHS, the London Borough of Enfield, and the voluntary and community sector. The report will detail the three key priorities for the next two years, focusing on one priority for each stage of life: 'Start Well' (supporting children and young people's emotional wellbeing and mental health), 'Live Well' (supporting residents to manage major conditions), and 'Age Well' (preventing age-related ill health). Key highlights from the board's work in 2025 include the rollout of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Action Plan, the development of a comprehensive Strategy Outcome Framework, and the completion of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The report will also outline progress against the action plan, noting both positive developments and areas where progress has been slower, such as a Healthwatch project on housing and mental health, and the delivery of mental health wellbeing sessions by the North London Foundation Trust.

Update on Measles Epidemic in Enfield

An update on the measles epidemic in Enfield will be provided to the panel. Measles is described as a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, particularly for vulnerable groups such as babies, young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The report notes that the UK lost its measles elimination status in 2026 due to persistent infection levels since 2023, impacting herd immunity. As of 6 March 2026, there have been 71 confirmed cases of measles in Enfield, predominantly affecting unvaccinated primary school-aged children. The report will detail the actions taken by Enfield Council and its partners, including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), to manage the outbreak. These actions include case management, rapid vaccination efforts, communication campaigns targeting parents and schools, and engagement with community and faith-based organisations to promote vaccination uptake. The report will also outline ongoing efforts to increase vaccination rates through various initiatives involving primary care, the 0-19 Service, and partnerships with the Royal Free NHS Trust and Vaccination UK.

Safer Stronger Communities Performance Report

The panel will receive a performance report for the Safer Stronger Communities Board, covering crime data up to January 2026. The report indicates a 4.2% decrease in total notifiable offences in Enfield compared to the previous year, with a reduction in violence against the person and violence with injury offences. However, there has been an increase in drug offences, largely attributed to proactive enforcement under Operation Pisces. The report also highlights a 0.7% increase in robbery and a 1.3% rise in domestic abuse incidents, although domestic abuse violence with injury has decreased. Gun crime and knife crime offences have seen reductions. The report will also detail trends in residential burglaries, theft offences, and hate crime. Recommendations for the Safer Stronger Communities Board include continued focus on key crime hotspots, targeting prolific offenders, and further evaluation of the impact of operations like Operation Pisces. The report will also address the slight increase in recorded domestic abuse incidents and the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategic group's focus on understanding this trend.

Work Programme

Finally, the panel will note the conclusion of the Healthy & Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26. The dates for future meetings will be confirmed following the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.