Tower Hamlets Council is developing a new Health and Wellbeing Strategy as part of its ongoing efforts to improve services for residents, with a focus on a life course approach and resident perceptions.
The strategy, a key priority for 2026/27, was discussed at a meeting of the Health and Adult Scrutiny Sub Committee on Monday, July 6, 2026. Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Health, Caring and Inclusive Communities, and Georgia Chimbani, Corporate Director for Health and Adult Social Care, presented an overview of their directorate's work. The strategy will be the health element of the overarching 'Our Tower Hamlets Vision 2035', a partnership strategy that aims to give every child the best start and ensure health in adult life, with a particular focus on older people.
Councillor Akhtar highlighted successes such as strong smoking cessation outcomes, with the Quit Right Tower Hamlets
service achieving a 56% quit rate, exceeding the national average. The Communities Keeping Well
programme received a bronze award at the LGA Awards for its work in preventing long-term conditions.
However, challenges were also identified, including significant financial pressures. These include ensuring the public health grant delivers maximum impact, delivering savings at pace and scale as part of the transformation programme, and ensuring Adult Social Care operates within its financial envelope due to pressures from the NHS. Balancing care needs with the NHS and ensuring adequate NHS contribution, including financially, are also key concerns. These pressures are exacerbated by a cost of living squeeze and a national housing crisis.
The development of the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy is ongoing, with intelligence and insights gathered to develop an action plan between now and September. The strategy is anticipated to be finalized around December, with plans to bring it back to the board for discussion. The process is iterative, involving residents, and there will be multiple opportunities for review and feedback throughout the year. Residents' involvement is central to the co-production of the strategy, which will focus on issues that matter to them, utilising insights into their perceptions of health. Healthwatch is also involved in the health and wellbeing board discussions, providing a channel for resident input.
The full details of the discussions and the reports presented can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet for the meeting.
