The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Health was scheduled to discuss the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Delivery, and receive an update on the reconfiguration of the North Central London (NCL) and North West London (NWL) Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). The committee was also set to review its work programme for the upcoming year.

NHS 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Delivery

The committee was scheduled to consider and comment on the national NHS 10 Year Plan and its implications for future service provision, with a particular focus on Neighbourhood Health Delivery. The plan outlines a shift in healthcare delivery, moving from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.

Key aspects of the plan include:

• Moving care closer to home: This involves enhancing neighbourhood health services, improving dental care, streamlining specialist referrals, and providing better community mental health support. Residents consulted during the development of the plan expressed that while moving care closer to home could be beneficial, it must meet diverse needs and be supported by clear points of contact. They also stressed the importance of services being well-supported, staffed, visible, inclusive, and responsive, with carers and families being informed and involved.
• Embracing digital innovation: The plan aims to create a better patient experience through digital advancements, including a unified patient record to eliminate repetition, self-referrals via the NHS App, and improved online booking systems to ensure equitable access. However, feedback indicated that technology should enhance, not replace, human interaction, and offline options must always be available. Artificial intelligence (AI) may support some tasks but should be used wisely, and a shared patient record with easy patient access is considered essential.
• Focusing on preventative healthcare: This involves making healthy choices easier and supporting individuals before they become ill. Residents highlighted that prevention should be a priority, with health education being vital across all age groups, and the NHS needing to provide timely support. Collaboration with families and communities was also deemed essential.

The report pack detailed how the plan is being implemented through digital improvements, such as the London Care Record and the London Secure Data Environment, which aim to securely connect health and care information. It also outlined the shift towards neighbourhood health, with dedicated multidisciplinary Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) working alongside existing services to improve access, experience, and outcomes, particularly for those with complex needs. The plan also emphasises strengthening support for people with long-term conditions through better self-management, education, health coaching, and peer support.

The report highlighted that Haringey is being used as a test borough to accelerate the delivery of neighbourhood health services, trialling new approaches before wider adoption. The Model ICB blueprint was also presented, outlining the core functions of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) as strategic commissioners, focusing on understanding local context, developing population health strategy, resource allocation, and evaluating impact.

NCL & NWL ICB Merger & Change Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the reconfiguration of the North Central London (NCL) and North West London (NWL) ICBs. The report indicated that the two organisations were legally merging on 1 April 2026 to form a new entity, West and North London ICB. This merger is part of a broader effort to reduce running costs by approximately 50% and shift ICBs to a new role as strategic commissioners, moving away from clinical delivery and provider management.

The new West and North London ICB will operate across 13 boroughs, serving over 4.5 million people, with a focus on reducing health inequalities. The report highlighted that approximately £12 billion is spent annually on health and care across West and North London, with most of this currently directed towards hospitals and crisis services. The new ICB aims to reshape investment to proactively support those with greater need, thereby improving overall access to urgent care.

Key priorities for the new organisation include reducing inequalities, investing strategically to prevent ill health, better supporting those with the greatest needs, making care more local and accessible, and empowering local people to feel more confident about their health and wellbeing. The report also detailed the proposed governance structure for the West and North London ICB, including a Board of Members and a committee structure designed to ensure a robust governance framework. The ICB will retain its statutory responsibilities post-transfer, with a focus on working effectively with partners to maintain quality for residents.

Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme for the 2025-26 period.