The Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel met to discuss its terms of reference and work programme for the coming year, as well as to review the Health of the Borough report, the Ealing Healthwatch annual report, and an update on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Local Government Association (LGA) inspection reports. The panel agreed to the terms of reference and work programme, and discussed recommendations for improving health and social care services in the borough.

Panel Terms of Reference and Work Programme

The panel agreed its terms of reference and work programme for 2025/2026. The panel also agreed to the appointment of co-optee members David Crawley from Ealing Healthwatch, Lorraine Charlton from Ealing and Hounslow Community and Voluntary Services, Alan Cook, Gule Hanid, Co-Chair of the Carers Co-Production Board, and Connor Wood, Co-Chair of the Autism Co-Production Board.

Health of the Borough 2024-2025

The panel reviewed the Health of the Borough report for 2024-2025, which highlights the council's work to tackle health inequalities across the borough. The report is intended to be presented in a virtual magazine format using Page Tiger, with infographics to illustrate key data and information. The report includes articles on work taking place to:

• Improve community connection, such as through the Community Champions programme and Let's Go Southall.
• Improve the building blocks of health and wellbeing, for example by supporting education and employment.
• Reduce risk factors for poor health, such as smoking, drugs and alcohol.
• Work with those groups most at risk of inequalities, such as refugees and those experiencing homelessness.

The report also highlights the Ealing Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28, which sets out the commitments of the Ealing Borough Based Partnership to put communities at the heart of everything, create systems and structures that leave no one behind, and connect the building blocks of health and wellbeing.

Ealing Healthwatch Annual Report

The panel considered the Ealing Healthwatch Annual Report for 2024-2025. The report provides a record of Healthwatch Ealing's activities, findings and impact over the past year. Healthwatch is an independent organisation that champions the views of people who use health and social care services in England. Its main purpose is to ensure that service users' voices are heard and used to improve care.

The report highlights several key areas of work, including:

• Listening to patients to improve mental health care.
• Improving patient experience in Ealing.
• The homelessness experience in Ealing.
• Enter and View Program: Mental Health Hostels.
• Enter and View Program: Community Diagnostic Centre Part 2.
• Improving social understanding of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

The report also includes several quotes from partners and volunteers, showcasing the impact of Healthwatch Ealing's work.

CQC and LGA Inspection Reports - Update of Adult Services Workplan

The panel received an update on the key areas of work and progress towards the recommendations set out in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Local Government Association (LGA) inspection reports.

In the summer of 2024, the CQC rated Ealing as requires improvement in how well they are meeting their responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support. In January 2025, a follow up review of the Peer Challenge was conducted by an independent associate commissioned by the LGA. The associate stated outstanding progress over the past 22 months, successfully meeting each of the recommendations from the Peer Challenge .

The report provides an update on the following areas:

• Operational Effectiveness: Accessibility, assessment, carers and safeguarding.
• Finance and Performance: Use of performance data and financial management.
• Commissioning: Market development, community and voluntary sector.

The report also includes a summary of the Adult Social Care Council Plan KPIs and Targets for 2024-2025, as well as the ASC Delivery Plan for 25/26.