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This report summarises a year-long programme of engagement undertaken in 2017/18 by the five local Healthwatch in the North London Partners area. It is in three sections, summarising the local engagement on different topics, a co-design event on 7 day services and the input of a reference group of local citizens. There are individual reports for each specific topic. The North London Partners Urgent and Emergency Care Programme is focused around four broad work-streams: Integrated Urgent Care; Admissions Avoidance; Simplified Discharge; Last Phase of Life. The first of these, integrated urgent care, was the subject of a major programme of engagement in previous years, so was not included as a specific topic in the work for 2017/18. This work was done as part of a programme of engagement on the North London Partners Urgent and Emergency Care programme. North London Partners is the sustainability and transformation partnership for North London, formed of health and care organisations from the five London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. The five local Healthwatch in the North London area are collaborating to promote citizen engagement in the work of the partnership. This includes an extensive programme of engagement on urgent and emergency care, led by Healthwatch Camden. To support the engagement programme and to ensure that it has impact, a Citizen’s Reference Group was set up. The Reference Group brings together representatives from across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington, who have experience of using local urgent or emergency care services, including service users and carers, to offer feedback and input into the development of the North Central London (NCL) Urgent and Emergency Care programme, including having a representative sitting on the programme board. The group, who meet regularly, have commented in detail on project plans, and sought clarity on programme funding. They have raised concerns that the links between NHS and local authority partners need to be stronger. They have challenged the lack of progress in some areas. This includes challenging on the drawn out process for agreeing funding for some areas of work. They have advised on improving communication with local residents. They have sought assurance on improvements in mental health support, particularly in A&E. Mental health is covered by a different programme with the North London Partnership.

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