The Health and Care Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes updates on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan, mental health services provided by North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), and maternity services overseen by the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The committee will also consider its work plan for the upcoming year.

Care Quality Commission Improvement Plan Update

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to focus on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan. This follows a CQC assessment of Redbridge Adult Social Care in December 2025, which identified significant shortfalls in our safeguarding and governance arrangements ¹. The report also noted areas for improvement in coproduction, reablement, and support for unpaid carers, alongside identifying good practices in strengths-based practice and service accessibility. A Section 50 notification letter was issued to Redbridge in November 2025, highlighting an inadequate rating for both safeguarding and social care. In response, an Adults Improvement Board was established, and an improvement programme is being progressed. The report pack details a programme of work with critical, stabilisation, and embedding phases, addressing areas such as safeguarding, governance, data, commissioning, and workforce development. An independent audit of the safeguarding service has also identified key risks, leading to a multi-agency investigation into safeguarding concerns, particularly at Goodmayes Hospital.

North East London Foundation Trust - Mental Health Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on mental health services provided by the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT). The report highlights that approximately one in four adults experience a mental health problem each year, with a national increase in common mental health issues. The update is expected to cover the mental health pathway from primary care, including self-referral to Talking Therapies for mild to moderate conditions, and the role of NELFT's Mental Health and Wellness Teams for individuals with severe or serious mental illness. Future plans for expanding neighbourhood-based mental health provision, including a potential 24/7 Community Mental Health Hub, are also anticipated to be discussed. The report also outlines services for older adults, learning disabilities, and adult ADHD, as well as key challenges such as rising demand, specialised service needs, and the impact of social issues on mental health. Successes such as streamlined occupational therapy pathways and improved physical health checks for those with serious mental illness are also noted. A separate update on Neonatal/Perinatal mental health services, which support individuals from pregnancy to 12 months after birth across Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest, is also scheduled.

Integrated Care Board - Maternity Update

An update from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding maternity services is also on the agenda. The report pack indicates this will cover measures being put in place to mitigate risks within maternity services.

Health and Care Scrutiny Committee Work Plan 2026-27

The committee will consider its work plan for the 2026-27 period. This plan outlines the topics scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including updates on the CQC Improvement Plan, primary care, and the Integrated Care Board's restructure.