• Report from Newham’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission
• Examines challenges posed by growth of 110,000 residents from 2020 to 2040
• Analyses how residents’ future health and care needs can be met
• Recommendations to strengthen services and system sustainability
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and Cabinet members have approved a report, produced by Newham’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission, for onward consideration. They have also agreed that an Executive Response to the Scrutiny recommendations be prepared for consideration by the Cabinet. The report explores how the borough’s health and care system can address challenges arising from significant population growth which is forecast to increase by 110,000 residents between 2020 and 2040. There is a notable rise among residents aged 60 and above, a group likely to require higher levels of care.
The report also identifies key challenges, including workforce shortages, infrastructure pressures and funding disparities within the North East London Integrated Care System (ICS). It assessed the borough’s preparedness to meet future needs, focusing on approaches such as Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs), which essentially brings professionals from different organisations across health and care services, as well as advancing primary care services and strengthening mental health support.
Councillor Susan Masters, Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission, said: “The impact of Newham’s high level of population growth on local health and care services has repeatedly been raised as a concern. This challenge isn’t just about the numbers of people moving into the borough’s new housing, but also the fact that the highest proportional growth is likely to be seen among the over 60s – residents who tend to require higher levels of support.
“Feeling this presented the single greatest challenge to our local system, Newham’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission has spent the last year challenging the strategies and level of resources available to address this – identifying a number of potential gaps.
“The ‘Meeting Newham’s Future Needs’ report breaks our system down into a number of key areas of focus asking, on the one hand, whether our borough will have the beds, health and care workers and appointments it needs to meet our resident requirements over the next 10-15 years, but equally whether the shape of local services and the way they will work with each other is fit for purpose. We hope it makes an impactful contribution to the ongoing debate – one we will continue to keep at the forefront of our work.”
The report highlights the urgency of co-ordinated action to address Newham's health and care challenges. By focusing on prevention, sharing resources fairly and better community-based care, the borough can develop a sustainable and responsive health system to meet the demands of its growing population.
It also outlines 22 recommendations for the Council and health partners, emphasising the importance of how building can be used more effectively, better resources for the workforce and targeted improvements in primary care. It also highlights the need to prevent residents from becoming unwell, being able to access information to make informed decisions and the need to consider digital exclusion, promoting inclusivity and long-term sustainability.
