The Health and Wellbeing Board of Newham Council met on Wednesday 21 January 2026 to discuss community insights into health and care services, strategic approaches from the North East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and annual reports from the Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and the Newham Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB). Key decisions included noting the ICS System Strategy and endorsing the NSCP's priorities for the coming year.

HealthWatch Newham - Community Insight Summary: Experience of Health and Care Services

Dianne Barham, Chief Executive of HealthWatch Newham, presented a summary of community insights into health and care services. The report indicated that overall experiences are generally positive, particularly regarding staff attitude and the quality of care. However, access to services remains a significant challenge, especially within primary care. Non-clinical interactions, such as reception and administrative processes, were highlighted as playing a crucial role in shaping patient experience. Hospital services, particularly urgent and emergency care, presented a more mixed picture compared to primary care. The Board was asked to note these themes, support continued learning from lived experience, and encourage the exploration of shared approaches to community and patient experience insight.

NEL ICS Strategic Approaches to Meeting Newham Population Need

Jo Frazer-Wise, Newham Director of Partnership, Impact and Delivery for NHS North East London, provided an update on the neighbourhood programme within the North East London Integrated Care System (ICS). While national guidance on the Neighbourhood Health Model was still pending, the Newham Health and Care Partnership was already delivering a comprehensive programme aligned with expected focus areas. Key issues for the coming years include agreeing neighbourhood footprints, tackling variations in general practice access, improving primary and secondary care interfaces, establishing integrated neighbourhood teams, and planning for a new approach to elective pathways. The Board was asked to note and discuss the update, agreeing that a full update on the neighbourhood programme would be presented at the next meeting.

North East London ICS Strategy

The Board was asked to note the North East London ICS System Strategy, presented by Charlotte Pomery. This strategy outlines the ICS's vision for improving health and healthcare, addressing health inequalities, and enhancing patient experience, safety, and outcomes across the life course. It details a population health approach, incorporating the NEL Outcomes and Equity Framework, which is informed by resident feedback and the Good Care Framework. The strategy emphasizes three key shifts: from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. It also addresses the case for change, highlighting significant health inequalities, population growth, and access challenges within North East London. The strategy details how the ICS plans to deliver its vision through these three shifts, focusing on prevention, addressing unmet needs, and tackling health inequalities. It also outlines the financial principles and allocation strategy to support the delivery of the strategy, including the creation of a transformation fund. The workforce and physical infrastructure required to support these changes were also discussed.

Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) Annual Report 2024/25

Laura Eden, Corporate Director of Children and Young People, presented the Newham Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) Annual Report for 2024/25. The report detailed the governance and accountability arrangements for safeguarding, progress against the NSCP's priorities, and lessons learned through its Quality Assurance and Learning Framework. Key cross-cutting themes for the coming year include Early Intervention and Prevention, and Tackling Racism, Inequality, and Disproportionality. Thematic priorities include the successful implementation of the Youth Safety Strategy, ensuring the best start in life for every child, and improving the response to domestic abuse. The Board was asked to note and receive the report, endorse the NSCP's priorities, and support a continued system-wide focus on early intervention, prevention, tackling inequality, and the Youth Safety Strategy.

Newham Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) Annual Report 2024-25

Sola Afuape, Independent Chair of the Newham Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB), presented the NSAB's Annual Report for 2024-25. The report outlined the NSAB's key priorities for 2023-26, which include Mental Capacity, Cuckooing, Self-neglect, and All-age exploitation. The report detailed the activities undertaken to meet these priorities, including work with the Equity Team to identify and address issues related to referrals and equity in safeguarding. The Board was asked to note the NSAB's annual report.

The meeting also included a standing item on NEL ICS Strategic Approaches to Meeting Newham Population Need, where members were asked to note and discuss the update, agreeing that a full update on the neighbourhood programme would be brought to the next meeting. The date of the next meeting was scheduled for 15 April 2026.