Tower Hamlets councillors have reviewed the latest findings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and discussed strategies for improving cancer screening programmes. The Health and Adult Scrutiny Sub Committee met on Monday, 6 July 2026, to examine the successes, priorities, and challenges facing the borough's health and social care services. The meeting's agenda and reports can be found in the Public reports pack.
Councillor Sabina Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Health, Caring and Inclusive Communities, presented an overview of the Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Directorate's work. Key successes highlighted included 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. Adult Social Care maintained a Good
rating from the CQC, with aspirations to achieve an Outstanding
rating.
However, significant challenges were also identified. These include financial pressures, with concerns raised about ensuring the public health grant delivers maximum impact for residents, delivering savings at pace and scale as part of the transformation programme, and ensuring Adult Social Care operates within its financial envelope given pressures from the NHS. The financial sustainability of GP practices was also noted as a concern. These pressures are linked to increased demand, demographic growth, and the changing NHS landscape.
Representatives from NHS North East London (NEL) Integrated Care Board (ICB), Barts Health NHS Trust, and East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) also provided updates. Barts Health NHS Trust reported improvements in Accident and Emergency (A&E) performance, with the Royal London Hospital achieving a 78% four-hour standard performance. This success secured national funding for further improvements. Specific plans for this funding include optimising front-door patient pathways, reviewing internal and external pathways, and changing the patient journey for ambulance arrivals to ensure quicker senior reviews. The hospital also plans to expand Same Day Emergency Care pathways, including for Stroke patients, and increase the use of technology to support patient flow. Collaboration between A&E and community services will be strengthened, with an increased number of calls directed to the Remote Emergency Access Coordination Hub and Physicians Response Unit to advise on community care.
Priorities for the upcoming year include developing a new Health and Wellbeing Strategy and strengthening neighbourhood working. This strengthening of neighbourhood working involves developing a 'neighbourhood-based homecare' approach, integrating services within neighbourhoods, and ensuring primary care is central to these developments. The aim is to build services embedded within communities, utilising voluntary sector partners to support access and interventions, creating a more holistic and locally based offer.
The main challenge identified in integrating with the Integrated Care System (ICS) and the 'Tower Hamlets Together' initiative is the 'need to integrate'. Opportunities lie in 'working as part of the Tower Hamlets together' and delivering the requirements of the National Neighbourhood Framework, which aims to strengthen primary care and build neighbourhoods.
