The Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, to discuss a range of health-related topics. Key areas of focus included an update on health services across North East London, a detailed examination of cancer services, and a discussion regarding the proposed Superloop bus route.

Health Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a general health update, which would provide highlights and information from various NHS providers. This update was expected to cover a range of health issues impacting residents in Outer North East London. The report indicated that the update would be taken as read, with members having submitted questions in advance. Previous discussions on health updates have included topics such as X-ray results, primary care performance, 111 services, and the demand for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

The report also detailed several key initiatives and challenges within North East London's health services. These included the launch of a new careers hub to support residents in exploring health and social care roles, and ongoing efforts to address medication shortages, particularly for ADHD management and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). The results of the NHS staff survey were also to be presented, highlighting improvements in areas such as staff appraisals and recommendations for the organisation as a place to work. Significant changes were noted regarding Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), with NHS England set to reduce in size and merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, necessitating a reduction in ICB resources and a fundamental rethink of operating models. Positive developments were also highlighted, such as the transformation of diabetes care for young adults and the shortlisting of NEL for an award by the Student Nursing Times.

NEL ICB Deep Dive - Cancer

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a deep dive into cancer services within the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB). The North East London Cancer Alliance aims to improve cancer services and reduce health inequalities, with a goal of achieving survival rates among the best in the UK and Europe by March 2026.

The report provided statistics on cancer diagnoses in North East London, with prostate, breast, and lung cancer being the most common types. In 2023-2024, 7,735 people were diagnosed with cancer, and the total number of people living with cancer in the region was projected to be 52,979 in 2025. The committee was to be updated on performance against national cancer standards, including the 28-day faster diagnosis standard, the 31-day decision to treat-to-treatment standard, and the 62-day referral to treatment standard. Data on cancer screening uptake for bowel, cervical, and breast cancer across various boroughs was also to be presented, alongside information on the lung cancer screening programme, which has shown positive uptake and led to the early diagnosis of a significant number of lung cancers.

The report detailed various initiatives focused on early diagnosis, awareness, and reducing health inequalities, including targeted campaigns for specific ethnic groups and community engagement projects. Progress in diagnosis and treatment was also outlined, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence in chest X-rays, the rollout of clinical animations for treatment options, and improvements in histopathology turnaround times. The committee was to receive updates on personalised cancer care, including stratified follow-up, remote monitoring systems, and prehabilitation services. Workforce reviews and the implementation of the ACCEND framework were also on the agenda, alongside communications and engagement strategies, including community events and patient support materials.

Superloop Bus Route

In a supplementary agenda item, Healthwatch Havering requested to discuss the new Superloop bus route SL12, which is under consultation by Transport for London. The discussion was intended to explore how the route, running from Gants Hill to Rainham via Romford, could be better utilised to serve residents of Outer North East London.

Finance Overview

The committee was also scheduled to review the financial position of the North East London Integrated Care System (ICS). The report indicated a year-to-date ICS deficit of £91.5 million, with a forecast deficit of £125 million. NHS England had provided additional resource of £45 million, reducing the expected month-end deficit to £80 million. Key financial pressures identified included efficiency and cost improvement targets, run rate pressures in mental health and acute services, and pay costs. The 25/26 operating plan principles were to be discussed, outlining a gross cost uplift factor of 4.15% with a 2% efficiency requirement, leaving a net 2.15% inflation increase. The plan requires trusts to aim for a breakeven position, with significant efficiencies needed to be delivered. The report also highlighted that primary care funds would receive growth of £13.9 million.