The Adults Health and Integration Scrutiny Commission met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to discuss Homerton Healthcare's new digital strategy, including concerns about the Federated Data Platform (FDP), and to review the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report. The Commission also considered the Director of Public Health's report on access to healthy and affordable food.

New Digital Strategy for Homerton Healthcare (including Federated Data Platform)

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust presented its refreshed digital strategy, emphasizing its commitment to integrated care, better value, and innovation. Deputy Chief Executive Tom Nettel reiterated that the Trust has no active plans to use the Federated Data Platform (FDP), which is provided by NHS England and built by Palantir Technologies. The Trust's focus remains on improving its existing electronic patient record system and ensuring digital inclusion for all patients.

Concerns were raised by George Binette and Pauline Moon of the Hackney Coalition Against Palantir regarding Palantir's ethical track record, including its links to military operations and immigration enforcement. They highlighted potential risks to patient trust and data security, and cited a National Infrastructure Service Transformation Authority assessment suggesting a significant cost gap between the FDP's projected benefits and its estimated £1.1 billion cost.

During the discussion, councillors sought assurances on local accountability for digital procurement, the inclusion of ethical business practices, and the Trust's engagement with local communities outside of formal meetings. Tom Nettel confirmed that procurement processes adhere to legal and NHS requirements, and that the Trust retains ownership of its data. He also detailed the Trust's approach to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) safely and responsibly, emphasizing patient safety and human oversight. The Commission noted the ongoing concerns regarding Palantir and the FDP, and requested an update on the Trust's digital strategy.

City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2025-26

Claire Solley, Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board (CHSAB), presented the annual report for 2025-26. The report highlighted key achievements, including the establishment of a new Performance and Quality Assurance Subgroup, work on homelessness and rough sleeping, and strengthened community engagement.

A significant increase in safeguarding concerns was noted, rising by 57% to 2,798 cases, which has placed pressure on front-door services. Georgina Diba, Director of Adult Social Care and Operations, explained that this increase was partly due to a more accessible online referral system and that concerns are triaged daily. She also noted that safeguarding routes are sometimes used for general escalations rather than specific safeguarding issues.

Members raised concerns about the complexities of self-neglect and the Mental Capacity Act, and the disproportionality of safeguarding referrals concerning Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British residents. Claire Solley and Georgina Diba responded that self-neglect is a national challenge and that the partnership is working to equip staff with appropriate skills. They acknowledged the need for further analysis of the data concerning ethnic disproportionality. The Commission also discussed the data recording gaps within the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) data, with assurances that a single system, Mosaic, would improve reporting.

The report also detailed two non-statutory desktop reviews commissioned following the deaths of rough sleepers, which did not meet the statutory threshold for a Safeguarding Adult Review but identified potential learning for the partnership. The CHSAB plans to develop an alternative framework for reviewing deaths involving people experiencing homelessness.

Annual Report of Director of Public Health: Access to Healthy and Affordable Food

Dr Sandra Husbands, Director of Public Health for City and Hackney, presented the annual report, Nourished Neighbourhoods, focusing on access to healthy and affordable food. The report highlighted that healthier foods are more than twice as expensive per calorie as less healthy options, making it difficult for low-income families to afford a balanced diet.

The report detailed challenges identified by residents and community partners, including the need for better information on accessing affordable food, improved community infrastructure, and more opportunities for food education. It showcased local initiatives such as Made in Hackney, Hackney School of Food, and The Felix Project, which redistribute surplus food and provide cooking classes and community meals.

The report also outlined strategic levers available to the local authority to improve the food environment, including planning policies to restrict unhealthy food outlets near schools, advertising restrictions on council-owned sites, and procurement strategies to support healthier catering. Proposals were made to strengthen these levers, such as developing a community food distribution hub and supporting local markets. The report concluded with next steps, including the reconvening of the Healthy Weight Strategic Partnership and a two-year programme to test new approaches to securing healthy food access.

Review on 'Improving outcomes for Black women in NHS acute and community mental health services' - agree Terms of Reference

The Commission agreed to the terms of reference for a review focused on improving outcomes for Black women in NHS acute and community mental health services in Hackney. This review will investigate geographical disproportionalities, the impact of non-clinical social determinants of health, progress on national frameworks like the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework, and the embedding of trauma-informed and anti-racist practices. The review will also examine co-production of services and address long wait times in community mental health services. Evidence gathering will commence in October 2026.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Action Tracker

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2026 were agreed as a correct record, and the updated Action Tracker was noted.

Scrutiny Commission Work Programme

The Commission agreed to the updated draft work programme for 2026-27, which includes the significant review on improving outcomes for Black women in mental health services as a key focus.

Any Other Business

There were no other items of business raised.