The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 29 January 2024 was scheduled to discuss updates on workforce issues, diabetes services, and the Ophthalmology Surgical Hub proposal. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Workforce Update

An update was provided on workforce issues within North Central London (NCL), building on a previous briefing from September 2022. The NCL Integrated Care System (ICS) People Strategy, published in May 2023, focuses on three key priorities: Workforce Supply, Workforce Development, and Workforce Transformation. The strategy aims to create a sustainable health and care workforce to meet population health ambitions, with a particular spotlight on the NCL Care Leavers Pathfinder Programme, known as the NHS Universal Family. This programme supports individuals with experience of the care system to find careers within the NHS. The report detailed achievements in 2023, including the launch of a workforce newsletter, system leadership development training, and initiatives to upskill staff in areas like Oliver McGowan Training. The strategy is aligned with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan's priorities of Train, Retain, and Reform.

Diabetes Services

The meeting was scheduled to receive a presentation on out-of-hospital care for adults with diabetes in North Central London (NCL). The presentation was intended to cover diabetes prevalence, performance, and management, with a focus on making care proactive, equitable across the five boroughs, and outcomes-focused. The report highlighted the opportunity for partners to collaborate on improvements for individuals living with diabetes and other Long Term Conditions (LTCs), particularly focusing on early intervention for those aged 20-44 at risk of developing multiple conditions. The ICS is committed to addressing inequalities by tackling the root causes of poor health and investing in proactive care. Innovations such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) were noted as a key area for patient-led care and self-management, with a multi-year programme for its rollout across NCL.

Ophthalmology Surgical Hub - Engagement Findings

An update was provided on the engagement findings report for the NCL Surgical Transformation Programme: Ophthalmology Surgical Hub. This proposal aims to create a hub for Ophthalmology surgery at Edgware Community Hospital to undertake higher volumes of procedures for 'simple' surgical conditions like cataracts. This would consolidate services currently provided at Whittington Hospital and some activity from Royal Free Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital. Complex Ophthalmology surgeries would remain at Chase Farm Hospital and Royal Free Hospital. The report detailed the engagement process, which involved over 600 patients, the public, and stakeholders, and outlined feedback received, including concerns about travel times and accessibility. Mitigations were proposed to address these concerns, such as the role of Pathway Navigators and clear patient information in various formats. The report also included a Health Inequality Impact Assessment, which indicated potential impacts on older people, ethnic minority groups, those in deprived areas, patients with co-morbidities, disabilities, and carers.

Work Programme

The committee was presented with an outline of the 2023-24 work programme for the NCL JHOSC. This paper detailed the areas the committee had chosen to focus on, including previous discussions on maternity services, surgical hubs, and cancer prevention plans. It also listed items for future meetings, such as updates on the Estates Strategy, Start Well programme, and Fertility Policy implementation. The committee was asked to confirm agenda items for the next meeting scheduled for 18 March 2024 and consider possible items for inclusion in the ongoing work programme. Potential future items included updates on health inequalities funds, smoking cessation, NHS dentistry funding, the strategic role of GP Federations, vaccination initiatives, ambulance waiting times, paediatric service reviews, primary care commissioning, and the efficacy of online GP consultations.