Apologies have been received from Cllr Andrew Howard, Cllr Simon McGrath (with Cllr Reiss as substitute) and Cllr Laxmi Attawar (with Cllr Henry as substitute). 

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

Panel members confirmed that these were a true and accurate record of the previous meeting.

Fiona White, NHS Merton lead the presentation, with support from Ruth Eager, NHS SW London and Susan Elden, NHS England, and Helen Raison, Consultant.

New Governance Structure from 2025 - Immunisations now reports into the SW London Health Equity Partnership. The SW London Immunisation Operational Group will focus on the Delivery of the London Immunisation plan, and the borough-based Immunisation Steering Groups, led by Public Health, will focus on delivery of local plans.

Targeted advertising is used to promote uptake of vaccinations. Future grants programmes will be informed by the feedback and insight gained from the 2024 programme. Tailoring of the outreach pop-up clinics to focus on areas where more support is needed. Engagement with providers to ensure there is an accessible offer for all eligible populations.

In response to questions:

WHO recommendations focus on childhood and universal/global vaccinations (MMR, Polio etc). Our report focuses on the seasonal vaccines. The NHS England standard is to provide vaccines to 100% of eligible population. Flu is set at 75% target, uptake is below nationally.

Accessibility in the east of the borough. There are gaps in community pharmacies, however there are new pharmacies that haven’t been loaded into the map yet. When we have gaps, we send outreach teams into the community. 

Shingles, Pneumococcal Vaccine, RSV all only have one manufacturer. Flu has multiple manufacturers, but they all have the same components.

Every person who receives a vaccine must consent, and they can only consent when they have been given the information on side effects, local reaction etc.

Data is publicly accessible online at gov.uk

The Director of Integrated Care introduced the report.

The report recommends three major initiatives:

• Redevelopment of the Jan Malinowski Centre (JMC) – A transformational project to create a modern, state-of-the-art day centre and 21 supported living units, enhancing independence and service quality for individuals with severe learning disabilities.
• Development of a Borough Learning Disability Strategy – A strategic framework that defines service priorities, ensuring sustainable, coordinated, and responsive support for residents.
• Development of the Community Opportunities Programme – Expanding community-based services and partnerships to reduce reliance on traditional day services, improve social inclusion, and promote independence.

The Big Explore concluded that whilst Merton’s traditional day services are regarded as good quality and some residents with a Learning Disability need a building-based provision, many residents expressed a lot of interest for a greater choice of community-based services. Residents shared that they would like more:

• opportunities for employment and or volunteering activities,
• social enterprise activities
• opportunities to meet and make friends
• use of local leisure and recreational facilities
• learning and development to build life skills such as preparing own meals and travel training.

In response to questions:

The temporary closure of the JMC could cause disruption to service users – Current attendees will use the All Saints and Leyton Road Day Centres, alongside outreach work and increased opportunities within the community.

Current projected timeline: Day centre will close in 2026 and reopen 2 and a half years later.

The Big Conversation and The Big Explore report highlighted the need for greater options for younger residents, especially those transitioning from Children’s to Adult’s Services and leaving education, and the intelligence developed from these were used to develop the LD Community Opportunities Programme.

Community Navigator pilot project supported 36 residents in 2024, meeting its objectives in finding alternative activities to the day service for residents and therefore reducing reliance on traditional building-based day services.

Day centres will always be needed for some individuals with complex needs and respite care.

The work programme was agreed.

Members were reminded to please send in topic suggestions to the Scrutiny team by 4 April 2025.