Ealing Council is set to enter a new partnership agreement with NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (NHS NWL ICB) to improve health and wellbeing services for adults and children in the borough.
The Ealing Council cabinet approved the new Section 75 Partnership Agreement during a meeting on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, marking a significant step towards integrated commissioning of health, wellbeing, social care, and education services. The agreement, made under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006, allows the council and the NHS to pool resources and delegate functions to enhance service delivery. The new agreement will also include information sharing arrangements to address potential data privacy concerns related to the sharing of patient information between the council and the NHS.
Councillor Polly Knewstub, Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, championed the agreement, emphasising its potential to improve services for vulnerable groups. The partnership aims to foster better integrated working, ensuring residents receive seamless and coordinated care.
The agreement will run for an initial 12-month period, with the option to extend for another 12 months. The Section 75 Framework Agreement will include a minimum notice period for termination or variation, allowing the Council adequate time to respond and plan service changes if the partnership does not achieve its intended outcomes. Contractual commitments beyond the expiration of the Agreement will also be included, particularly for services that require longer term stability where the Council acts as a lead commissioner. This will help reduce any financial liabilities and service disruption.
It encompasses a range of services, including:
- Better Care Fund (BCF)
- Learning Disabilities
- Community Equipment Services
- Mental Health
- Services for Children and Young People with Additional Needs
- Early Start Ealing
- Safeguarding Children and Young People
- Safeguarding Adults
- Integrated Commissioning Team
- Voluntary Sector Grants
- JSNA and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- Adult Social Care Discharge Fund (LA and ICB elements)
- Section 117 Protocol
The new Partnership Agreement will cover voluntary sector grants.
The council's Strategic Director Adults and Public Health has been delegated the authority to finalise, complete, extend, and vary the Partnership Agreement and associated documents with NHS NWL ICB.
This partnership is underpinned by a commitment to tackling health inequalities and promoting the wellbeing of all residents in Ealing. The agreement is designed to support service provision for the most vulnerable care groups in the borough, including arrangements for mental health services, learning disability support, safeguarding provisions, and early years services.
The approved financial contributions for the Section 75 Agreement in 2025/2026 include:
- Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG): £4,621,461
- Minimum NHS Contribution: £36,127,494
- LA Better Care Fund: £15,642,271
- Additional LA Contribution: £1,673,728
- Additional NHS Contribution: £1,082,237
These funds will support a range of initiatives aimed at improving the health and social care landscape in Ealing.
The Health and Wellbeing Board will retain its functions and role for oversight and review of the Partnership Agreement, ensuring accountability and transparency in the commissioning and delivery of services.
