The Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee met to approve a comprehensive report on improving healthy life expectancy in Islington and to receive an update on the performance of Moorfields Eye Hospital. The committee also reviewed the Quarter 3 performance report for Adult Social Care.

Scrutiny Review Final Report: Improving Healthy Life Expectancy in Islington

The committee approved the final report of its scrutiny review into improving healthy life expectancy in Islington. The report, which was the culmination of a year's work including evidence sessions and site visits, made ten recommendations aimed at tackling health inequalities. Key recommendations include prioritising outreach and culturally appropriate engagement in communities with the lowest healthy life expectancy, strengthening the use of integrated data for better targeting of interventions, and reducing preventable mortality through improved access to drug, alcohol, and smoking cessation services. The report also calls for enhanced early identification and management of long-term conditions, the embedding of a 'Health in All Policies' approach across council decision-making, and strengthening support for healthy weight and food environments. Furthermore, it recommends reinforcing the Smoke Free Islington approach, enhancing local preparedness for synthetic opioid risks, and strengthening community insight and engagement to co-design services. Finally, the report advocates for a whole life course approach, focusing on early intervention and reducing childhood inequalities. The committee noted that while healthy life expectancy in Islington has improved, persistent inequalities remain, and continued focus on prevention and addressing wider determinants of health is crucial.

Moorfields Eye Hospital Annual Performance Update

John Spencer, Chief Operating Officer, and Simmi Naidu, Chief Nurse Executive Director for Allied Professionals, presented an update on Moorfields Eye Hospital's performance. They highlighted the hospital's commitment to improving patient access and care through digital innovations, including their Single Point of Access (SPARC) service, which has significantly reduced urgent referral processing times. The development of the new Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health in Camden, due to open in summer 2027, was also discussed, aiming to integrate eye care, research, and education. Moorfields reported strong financial performance and a leading position in the NHS National Oversight Framework. The presentation also covered quality priorities, including the rollout of Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) pathways and the embedding of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF). Discussions touched upon the hospital's use of the Palantir-run Federated Data Platform, which is commissioned by NHS England, and research into new treatments for conditions like hypotony. The hospital acknowledged the challenges of digital exclusion and assured that face-to-face services would continue to be offered.

Quarter 3 Performance Report: Adult Social Care

Councillor Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, presented the Quarter 3 performance report for Adult Social Care. She expressed satisfaction with the quarter's performance, particularly regarding new admissions criteria for residential and nursing care homes and ambitious targets for helping people stay independent. Councillor Hyde thanked the team, including Victoria Nester and John Edison, for their work. The committee discussed the upcoming 60 extra care units at Holloway Park, with 60% of homes recommended for those over 55, designed to be intergenerational. Concerns were raised about a potential increase in new admissions to nursing and residential care homes, which officers are monitoring closely, assuring that admissions are appropriate. The integration of various teams onto a single system for safeguarding inquiries was reported to be going well, leading to significant improvements in performance recording and data quality. The committee noted the positive impact of this integrated system and suggested it could serve as a case study for shared learning across the council.