The Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss the Integrated Care Board's (ICB) decision regarding changes to mental health service provision by Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL). The committee will be asked to consider and comment on the ICB's decision made on 8 April 2025. This meeting follows previous discussions and scrutiny of the proposals.

Here are the key topics that are scheduled to be discussed:

ICB Decision on Acute Mental Health Services

The main item for discussion is the ICB's decision regarding the future of acute mental health services in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The report pack states that on 8 April 2025, the ICB approved the decision-making business case, which included the following points:

• The permanent closure of the three inpatient wards at the Gordon Hospital
• The continuation of community services established since the temporary closure of those inpatient wards.
• The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) remaining at the St Charles Hospital site.

The committee will be asked to consider and provide comment on this decision.

Joint Funding for Crisis and Step-Down Beds

The ICB also endorsed a proposal for the NHS and Westminster City Council to jointly fund the development of five crisis beds and five step-down beds in the south of Westminster for long-term use.

The report pack states that:

The ICB endorsed the proposal for the NHS and Westminster City Council to jointly fund, develop and mobilise (for long-term use) 5 crisis beds and 5 step down beds in the south of Westminster.

These beds are intended to provide intermediate care¹ for individuals at risk of hospital admission or after a hospital stay, helping them regain independence.

Background and Consultation

The report pack includes several appendices that provide background information on the decision-making process. These include:

• A letter from the Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ICB/CNWL dated 18 December 2024, outlining the committee's concerns.
• A letter from ICB/CNWL to IWL JHOSC dated 1 April 2025, responding to the committee's concerns.
• An update on further joint work regarding acute mental health services for adult residents of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

The consultation process involved seeking feedback on proposals for acute services following the temporary closure of 51 acute beds at the Gordon Hospital during the Covid pandemic. The consultation explored the balance between inpatient beds and alternative community provision, as well as the location of inpatient beds and MHCAS facilities.