The Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to discuss key issues relating to adult safeguarding and the assurance of adult social care services in Newham. The meeting will also review the council's response to the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assurance process and consider updates on emerging matters within the health and care system.

Safeguarding Adults in Newham

A significant focus of the meeting will be the review of adult safeguarding arrangements in Newham, with consideration of the Newham Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) 2024–25 Annual Report. This report outlines the board's safeguarding activities, priorities, and partnership developments over the past year, including lessons learned from Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs). Partner submissions from key safeguarding organisations, such as Barts Health NHS Trust, East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), and the Metropolitan Police Service, will provide further context on their safeguarding responsibilities, local risks, and actions taken. The commission will assess the effectiveness of safeguarding across the system and identify any areas requiring further attention.

The NSAB's annual report highlights a commitment to protecting adults with care and support needs from abuse and neglect, emphasising a personal, proportionate, and respectful approach. It details progress on strategic priorities including Mental Capacity, Self-neglect, Cuckooing, and All-Age Exploitation. The report also notes the importance of listening to residents' voices and ensuring equity in safeguarding practices, particularly for diverse communities within Newham.

CQC Assurance of Adult Social Care in Newham

The commission is scheduled to consider the council's response to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assurance process for adult social care. This will involve reviewing the findings of the CQC's assessment, which was published on 19 December 2025, and examining the council's improvement plan. The report indicates that the safeguarding domain within the CQC assessment was rated as 'good'. The discussion will likely cover changes in practice, staffing, and internal oversight within the adult safeguarding function, as well as the impact of recent leadership changes. The council's commitment to delivering tangible progress in areas such as case recording, multi-agency collaboration, data quality, and streamlined safeguarding processes will be a key point of discussion.

Update on Emerging Matters

The commission will receive updates on ongoing and emerging issues across the health and care system. This standing item allows for discussion of key developments, policy changes, service risks, and local issues that may require future scrutiny. The attendees for this item include Councillor Rita Chadha, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Alan Adams, Corporate Director Adults and Health, and representatives from NHS North East London (NEL), East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), Barts Health NHS Trust, and Healthwatch Newham.

Fothergill Ward Re-provision Proposal

A report detailing a Case for Change proposal for the re-provision of care from Fothergill Ward to community settings will be presented. Fothergill Ward, a 26-bed unit at East Ham Care Centre, was originally established for intermediate care and end-of-life care. The proposal, developed collaboratively by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), Barts Health NHS Trust, London Borough of Newham (LBN), and the North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB), aims to move care into more appropriate community settings in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan and a Home First approach. The report highlights that current patients at Fothergill Ward could receive better care in their own homes or community settings, with data suggesting patients stay twice as long as clinically necessary. The proposal outlines four pathways for re-provision: enhanced community wraparound care at home, access to residential or nursing care, end-of-life care in familiar environments, and enablers. The report also addresses risks and mitigations, including potential impacts on Barts Health and local boroughs, and outlines governance and approval processes.

Richard House Children's Hospice Closure

An update will be provided on the closure of Richard House Children's Hospice and the subsequent arrangements for continuity of care. Haven House Children's Hospice has taken over the provision of services across North East London, with funding secured until March 2027 to develop a new service model. This includes an accelerated rollout of Hospice at Home services from April 2026. The report details the background to the closure, the current position across North East London, and the implications for families and the wider system.

Work Programme

The commission will review and confirm its work programme for the next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 24 February 2026. This will involve confirming the date and time of the next meeting and potentially scheduling future topics for discussion.