North West London's Place Based Partnerships (PBPs) are striving to achieve mature, integrated operations across all boroughs by April 2026, according to a recent meeting of the North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. However, the partnerships face challenges including a lack of consensus around core responsibilities, legacy CCG structures blurring accountability, and varying degrees of Local Authority involvement.

The initiative aims to foster better health outcomes for residents through improved local service integration, reduced inequalities, and a more sustainable healthcare system. The plan was discussed at the committee's meeting on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, held at Harrow Council Hub.

David Williams, Programme Director, Integrated Care, NHS North West London ICS, authored a report outlining a maturity model for PBPs in NWL. The model provides a shared framework for local authority, health, and voluntary sector partners to assess their current state, identify development needs, and plan for greater maturity. The goal is to strike a balance between consistency and respecting local diversity.

The report outlined a shared ambition that, by April 2026, every borough in NWL should be operating as a mature PBP with:

  • Shared strategic priorities rooted in population need
  • Integrated neighbourhood teams at the heart of delivery
  • Clear accountability and inclusive governance arrangements (across health and local authority)
  • Coordinated infrastructure and resources to deliver effectively

The maturity model defines what 'good' looks like across six key domains: Leadership & Governance, Vision & Strategy, Service Delivery & Integrated Care Models, Population Health Management, Patient and Community Engagement, and Workforce Development. The Public reports pack Tuesday 18-Nov-2025 10.00 North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny outlines the characteristics of 'Early', 'Developing', and 'Mature' stages for each domain, providing a framework for assessment.

The report also outlined what was needed from each partner to deliver on this ambition, including the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Lead Provider, All Providers, and Local Authorities. It described the role of the Place-based 'Integrator' function, including operational coordination and integration, facilitating population health management, collaboration, alignment and learning, leadership and delivery, and infrastructure, risk and sustainability. The integrator role will be performed by a host organisation(s), together with the place based partnership. While delivery may involve multiple partners there must be clear organisational accountability e.g., a single lead within the partnership to the place based partnership ensuring neighbourhood health service can function effectively and sustainably in each place. This role cannot operate in isolation or replace individual responsibility and accountability from partnering local organisations.

Attendees at the meeting included Councillor Ketan Sheth (Chair - Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee), Councillor Ben Wesson (London Borough of Ealing), and Councillor Natalia Perez (London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham), among others.