Newham Mayor Forhad Hussain has outlined a vision for a healthier borough, emphasising that improving health outcomes is a key priority for his administration. Speaking at a Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Monday 29 June 2026, Mayor Hussain stressed the importance of genuine partnership between the council, NHS, and local communities to drive real change.
Tackling inequality is not an additional piece of work. It is the work,
Mayor Hussain declared, highlighting his commitment to ensuring Newham is a borough where residents can age well,
where older and disabled individuals are supported to live independently, and where prevention is as crucial as treatment. These aims are supported by specific initiatives such as bringing care closer to people's homes
and supporting stronger neighbourhood services
to reduce hospital admissions where possible.
Newham faces significant health challenges due to its rapidly growing and diverse population.
The Newham Residents Survey 2025 revealed that only 49% of residents rate Newham as a good place to grow older, a concern given a projected 21% increase in the 65+ population by 2031. Financial pressures are also a significant concern, with 44% of residents reporting they are just getting by
financially, and 4% having skipped meals due to lack of money. The survey also identified disparities for disabled residents, social renters, residents with no religion, and Black residents, who reported issues such as loneliness, weaker support networks, financial difficulty, food insecurity, and lower life satisfaction. This data underscores the need for the administration's focus on tackling inequality.
Mayor Hussain committed to advocating for the investment Newham needs, stating, Our population is growing rapidly. That means we need more hospital capacity, more community health facilities, better mental health support, and health care services that reflect the needs of the most diverse borough in the country.
The Better Care Fund (BCF) 2026-27 plan details significant investment from both the NHS and local authorities, totalling £234,810,810 for the pooled budget, including NHS and local authority contributions.
Bringing care closer to people's homes involves supporting stronger neighbourhood services
and making it easier for families to access help on their doorstep.
This is being achieved through Newham's neighbourhood approach, which aims to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities by bringing together partners from the NHS, London Borough of Newham, and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
The development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs)
is a key part of this, focusing on delivering services locally. The Better Care Fund also supports this by investing in home-based intermediate care,
reablement,
and extra care schemes
to help people maintain and maximise independence
and avoid unnecessary admissions to residential care.
Genuine partnership between the council, NHS, and local communities is being fostered through the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Neighbourhood Health in Newham report outlines a partnership approach underpinned by a draft Memorandum of Understanding and partnership principles with the VCFSE sector, emphasizing community-led, inclusive, and equitable working.
The establishment of Locality Leadership Teams and an emerging model of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams further aims to bring partners together at a local level.
Mayor Hussain concluded by stating his aspiration for the Health and Wellbeing Board to be a champion of health equity, ensuring every decision is challenged with the questions: Who benefits? And who might still be missing out?
This commitment is further supported by the proposed development process for the Board, which aims to develop a clear and sustainable approach to resident involvement that draws on Newham's existing community relationships and sources of insight, secures an independent route for community voice... and ensures lived experience shapes the Board's priorities, discussions and decisions.
The success of these efforts will be measured through several metrics outlined in the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2026-27 plan. These include targets for non-elective admissions to hospital for people aged 65 and over, average length of discharge delay, long-term admissions to residential and nursing care homes, and the proportion of people aged 65 and over discharged from hospital with reablement who remain in the community within 12 weeks. The overarching principle remains the Mayor's directive: Every decision we make should be challenged with two simple questions. Who benefits? And who might still be missing out?
Further details on the Health and Wellbeing Board's agenda and reports can be found in the Public reports pack, Supplementary Agenda 1, Supplementary Agenda 2, and Supplementary Agenda 3.
