The Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel met on 18 March 2026 to discuss a range of critical health and safety issues affecting Enfield residents. Key topics included an update on mental health service transformation by the North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT), a review of North Middlesex University Hospital's maternity services following recent inspections, and an assessment of the ongoing measles epidemic in the borough. The panel also received an update on community safety performance and the annual report from the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Mental Health Services Transformation

Andrew Wright, Chief of Staff for North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT), and Gary Passaway, Managing Director of NLFT, presented an update on the Trust's mental health transformation programme. They highlighted the challenges of increasing financial pressures within the NHS and a reduction in national mental health funding, despite which NLFT's strategic aims remain aligned with the Government's Ten-Year Health Plan. For Enfield residents, key developments include a borough-wide dementia pathway with a standalone Memory Service, a new Older Adults Home Treatment Team based at Chase Farm to provide crisis care at home, and an upcoming 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MCAS) at Chase Farm, designed to offer specialist assessment and support as an alternative to Emergency Departments. Progress has also been made in patient flow, with improved discharge processes and the elimination of out-of-area placements.

Members inquired about waiting times for talking therapies, with officers confirming that Enfield performs well compared to other North Central London boroughs, with waiting times now measured in weeks. The promotion of the new MCAS was discussed, with officers outlining a comprehensive communication plan involving community partners, GP practices, and emergency services. The panel also raised concerns about the national reduction in mental health funding, with officers explaining that national decisions dictate the allocation, which has fallen to approximately 8.2-8.3% of NHS expenditure. Preventative work and community resilience building were discussed, with officers noting that while these efforts are underway, their measurable impact takes time to materialise. Waiting times for children and young people's mental health services (CAMHS) were acknowledged as a national issue, with NLFT's performance aligning with national averages. The panel requested a follow-up session in approximately one year to review progress on these service developments.

Action: NLFT to consider and report back on potential training opportunities linked to the new MCAS once opened. Action: Governance Officer to note for future work programming: NLFT follow-up session in the next municipal year.

North Middlesex University Hospital Maternity Service Update

Manjit Roseghini, Director of Midwifery and Gynaecology Nursing at North Middlesex University Hospital, provided an update on the Trust's maternity services following recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections. The service had previously been rated 'Inadequate' in 2023, leading to its entry into the Maternity Safety Support Programme. Following a CQC inspection in January 2025, the service's rating improved to 'Requires Improvement', reflecting significant progress. The report detailed the three regulatory breaches identified by the CQC—relating to safe care and treatment, governance, and staffing—and the comprehensive action plan implemented to address these.

Key improvements include strengthened triage processes, enhanced incident governance, and increased compliance with mandatory training. All actions from both the 2023 and 2025 inspection plans have now been completed, with ongoing monitoring to ensure sustainability. Challenges remain, including further development of bereavement facilities and ensuring governance consistency. Members sought clarification on the CQC's findings, particularly regarding external reporting and management of equipment under COSHH requirements. Officers explained that the CQC had challenged the Trust's assurance processes for external reporting and that an unlocked cleaning trolley was an instance of human error. The panel heard about improvements in triage safety, the forthcoming capital works to enhance triage and induction spaces, and the successful implementation of a new electronic patient record system. The Chair commended the staff at North Middlesex University Hospital for their hard work throughout the improvement journey.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care, introduced the annual report of the Health and Wellbeing Board, explaining that the strategy focuses on three priority areas—'Start Well', 'Live Well', and 'Age Well'—for a two-year period to ensure focused impact. Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health, added that the strategy is supported by detailed action plans and benefits from strong collaboration across various partners.

Matthew Cagnetta, Policy & Project Officer, summarised the progress made against the three priority areas. Key achievements include the successful delivery of the action plan, the implementation of an outcomes framework for performance monitoring, and the completion of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The report indicated positive progress across most actions, with only two moving negatively due to funding and resourcing constraints. Specific KPI-based progress was highlighted, including strengthened support for young people's mental health, healthier environments, improved management of long-term conditions, and preventative work for older residents. Completed actions will be retired and replaced with new priorities for the next phase.

Members raised questions about the promotion of services, particularly for young people, and the impact of the Healthy Catering Commitment (HCC) on fast-food outlets. Officers explained that communication strategies vary, utilising a mix of broad and targeted approaches, and that the HCC supports healthier food preparation and increased availability of healthier options. The feasibility of a public-facing healthy catering rating scheme was welcomed. Further data on mental health school drop-ins and the rationale for their targeting was requested. The reduction in falls reported in the KPI dashboard was discussed, with officers explaining the role of proactive measures and community services. The determination of frailty scores and GP incentives were clarified, and the importance of tailored youth mental health support was emphasised.

Action: Dudu Sher-Arami to provide Members with a list of key health information sites and resources used to promote services. Action: Dudu Sher-Arami to provide data on the number of mental health school drop-ins delivered, including targeting rationale and school participation. Action: Dudu Sher-Arami to refer the query regarding tailored youth mental health support to the relevant service leads and report back to Members. Action: Dudu Sher-Arami to explore the feasibility of a public-facing healthy catering rating or recognition scheme for food outlets.

SSCB Performance Management - Monitoring Update

Jonathon Toy, Head of Community Safety, presented the Safer Stronger Communities Board (SSCB) Performance Report, highlighting a 4.2% reduction in total crime in Enfield over the past 12 months, equating to approximately 1,200 fewer offences. This positive trend was attributed to sustained partnership work, particularly in violence reduction. Significant decreases were noted in knife crime, including offences involving young victims, and in non-domestic violence with injury. Theft-related offences also showed an encouraging downward shift.

The rise in drug offences was directly linked to Operation Pisces, which has successfully disrupted drug supply networks by closing over 40 drug lines. While this increased recorded drug offences, it was considered a positive outcome of successful enforcement. Members discussed the lack of reduction in robbery levels in Enfield compared to London overall, attributing this to challenges around transport hubs and the emergence of organised robberies targeting high-value mobile phones. The panel also discussed the monitoring and prevention of issues arising at transport hubs, particularly those amplified by online activity, and the growing challenge of AI-driven misinformation. The potential application of the proactive policing model from Operation Pisces to other wards was confirmed, with plans for similar targeted approaches in Southgate and Palmers Green.

Update on Measles Epidemic in Enfield

Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health, provided an update on the measles outbreak in Enfield. She explained that the rise in cases, first identified at the end of January, had triggered a coordinated response involving the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and a local incident management team. London's average MMR vaccination coverage for the second dose is around 70%, with Enfield's lower at 64.3%, showing significant inequalities across the borough.

Extensive work has been undertaken, including case and contact management by UKHSA, guidance for schools, and widespread communication with parents. A notable increase in MMR vaccinations has been observed, with February seeing the highest number of doses administered in Enfield since 2014. While most additional uptake has been among families already engaged with vaccination services, there has also been a welcome rise in first-dose uptake among older children and adults. A medium-term partnership plan is in development, focusing on engagement, outreach, workforce training, and improved access in communities with the lowest coverage.

Members raised concerns about the effectiveness of current processes in achieving necessary uptake and inquired about missed opportunities for vaccination during other health appointments. Officers explained that GP practices operate a call and recall system and have enhanced this with additional clinics and invitations. Opportunistic vaccination during routine GP appointments and school visits is also encouraged, though further consistency is needed. Both vaccine hesitancy and practical barriers, such as language and navigating healthcare systems, were identified as contributing factors to low uptake. The panel discussed the need for clearer national messaging on the severity of measles and the potential for mandatory vaccination for school entry, acknowledging this as a national policy issue. The possibility of schools being required to collect vaccination records at enrolment was also suggested. The importance of strengthening communication with young people directly, given the role of social media in spreading misinformation, was highlighted, with plans to develop youth-friendly messaging. Concerns were also raised about difficulties accessing vaccination records, particularly for those immunised abroad.

Work Programme

The Panel noted the completion of the Healthy & Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26.

Dates of Future Meetings

The Panel noted that the dates of future meetings would be confirmed following Annual Council on Wednesday 27 May 2026. The Chair thanked officers and members for their contributions throughout the municipal year and acknowledged the service of Councillor Hannah Dyson, who was not seeking re-election.