The Health Scrutiny Sub-committee meeting on 26 November 2025 reviewed progress on the Redbridge Tobacco Control Plan and heard an update on end-of-life care services provided by St. Francis Hospice. The committee also discussed the work plan for future meetings.

Smoking Cessation Update

The committee received an update on the Redbridge Tobacco Control Plan (2023-2028) and the local smoking cessation service, 'Redbridge Quits Smoking' (RQS). The plan aims to create smoke-free environments, tackle illicit tobacco, protect young people, improve quit rates, reduce smoking among pregnant women, support vulnerable residents, and engage communities. Significant progress has been made, including Trading Standards seizing £50,000 worth of illegal vapes and the development of a toolkit to help professionals and parents discuss vaping with young people. The RQS service, which went live in April 2023, has seen a substantial increase in successful smoking quits, doubling the number of four-week quits compared to previous years. The service has also expanded its scope to include users of non-traditional tobacco products and has established strong links with local faith and community groups, with promotional materials available in seven languages.

Councillor John, a member of the committee, inquired about Redbridge's smoking rates compared to other local authorities and the effectiveness of prevention programmes. The presenter explained that precise local data is challenging to obtain, with national surveys providing only a proportion of the population's data, and GP records can be inconsistent. However, national data suggests Redbridge's smoking rates are comparable, and the new RQS service is actively working to engage with diverse communities and those with higher smoking prevalence.

Concerns were raised about the increasing prevalence of vaping among young people. The report highlighted that while vaping is an effective tool for adults to quit smoking, there are growing concerns about young people taking up vaping, with some schools reporting addiction among students. RQS is working with schools and youth services to provide support and has developed a co-designed resource to help build confidence in discussing vaping with young people.

End of Life Care

Dr. Corinna Midgley, Medical Director at St. Francis Hospice, and Jan Scott from their communications team presented an overview of the hospice's services and their work in Redbridge. St. Francis Hospice has been providing palliative and end-of-life care for over 40 years across five boroughs, including Redbridge. Their mission is to ensure excellent palliative and end-of-life care for everyone before, during, and after death, including bereavement support.

The hospice offers an 18-bedded ward for complex care, a Hospice at Home service providing support in the final weeks of life, and an out-of-hours advice line. They also provide consultant support and day services. In Redbridge, the hospice works in partnership with the NHS community palliative care team, which consists of clinical nurse specialists and an occupational therapist.

Challenges identified in Redbridge include late referrals to hospice services, with nearly 20% of patients being referred within a day of dying, limiting the effectiveness of support. There is also a perceived under-referral and underservice of some communities, with a need to increase awareness of palliative care services among both the public and healthcare professionals. Increasing poverty and deprivation in Redbridge are also noted as contributing factors to unmet needs.

The hospice's strategic goals for 2025-2030 focus on scaling services, collaborating with partners, investing in staff, and creating a sustainable organisation. Early successes include a reduction in people dying before receiving services, attributed to improved teamwork and emphasis on earlier referrals for Hospice at Home. The hospice is also working to upskill care home staff and increase its visibility within the community.

Councillor Javid raised questions about late referrals, and Dr. Midgley acknowledged this as a significant challenge, noting that nearly a fifth of referrals come too late to be of significant benefit.

Updates from Relevant Bodies and Work Plan

Councillor Daniel H. Morgan-Thomas, Chair of the Health Scrutiny Sub-committee, provided updates on various bodies. The Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had a full agenda, including an update from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding restructuring. The Health and Care Policy Development Committee had discussed the mental health experience of patients in Redbridge.

The committee also reviewed the Health Scrutiny Sub-committee Work Plan. The delayed emergency care survey results and waiting times update from BHRUT are now scheduled for the January meeting, alongside a primary care update and a presentation on cervical screening and the women's project. The February and April meetings will include updates on maternity services from BHRUT following the AMOS review.

Councillor Muhammed Javed inquired about the primary care update, which was confirmed to be scheduled for the January meeting.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the speakers and members for their contributions.