The NHS service dedicated to helping those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy is facing funding cuts from as soon as next year.
Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service provides a range of different therapies and groups for those affected by the tragedy.
NHS England is reducing the amount of money allocated to the scheme and there is no service yet confirmed beyond 2029, councillors heard at a recent Kensington and Chelsea Full Council meeting.
The Crown Prosecution Service is due to make charging decisions in relation to the fire before the 10th anniversary on June 14 next summer.
Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Councillor Lucy Knight, said that “no one should be left worrying about whether the care they rely on will still be there when they need it.”
“The NHS itself has acknowledged that the period ahead may be especially difficult for this community,” she added.
“So I don’t believe now is the moment to change the model of care to fit a smaller budget, unless they are certain it can still meet their needs.”
In 2018 NHS England promised £50million towards the Grenfell community’s recovery which was used to set-up the wellbeing service. However this funding is due to end in its current form in March 2027.
The NHS West and North London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has put in a bid for £1.8million in funding so that the service can continue, although this marks a significant reduction.
Nottingdale Councillor Claire Simmons said that the decision to make changes the scheme at such a sensitive time for the community was “wrong and dangerous.”
“How, then, the powers that be at the ICB or the Department of Health have come to a decision to withdraw specialist Grenfell support from the local community and instructs CNWL [Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust] to provide a model for that transition at exactly the time the tower is coming down, the CPS are considering charges, and before the 10th anniversary is frankly beyond me,” she told Kensington and Chelsea Councillors at the council meeting.
However she confirmed that “there are no plans for any changes around the anniversary.”
The discussion was prompted after a cross-party motion was brought to the council chamber by Conservative Councillor Anne Cyron and Labour Councillor Portia Thaxter.
The motion called on the council’s lead member to write to the ICB and the local NHS trust to say that “the needs of Grenfell survivors and the bereaved remain a top priority.”
It also asked the lead member to call on NHS England to confirm long-term funding, alongside no major changes around the Grenfell Tower 10th anniversary.
Representatives of the ICB and CNWL will attend a special scrutiny meeting held by the council in December.
A community update by the Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service from September said: “The Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service was set up after the Grenfell Tower fire with dedicated funding. The NHS organisation that funds the service (the ICB) has told us that funding for the service in its current form will not continue beyond March 2027.
“Support will not simply stop. We are not starting from scratch: GHWS has built specialist knowledge, trusted relationships and ways of working that people value. We now need to understand what must be carried forward, what support is still needed and what may need to work differently in the future.”
A spokesperson for the ICB said: “NHS West and North London remains committed to supporting the survivors, bereaved families and the wider community affected by the Grenfell tragedy.
“No decisions have yet been made about the future model of enhanced services, and our absolute priority is to ensure that any future arrangements continue to meet the specific needs of local people and communities.
“We have been working closely with survivors, residents, community organisations, local providers and expert clinicians to understand the support people need and how services should develop in the years ahead.
“This engagement continues, and local people are helping to shape proposals for future enhanced services so that they reflect the experiences, priorities and needs of those affected.
“Existing enhanced services remain in place and continue to support local people. We understand that any uncertainty about future arrangements can cause concern and are working to finalise proposals as soon as possible.
“We will continue to work with local people as proposals are developed and will provide clear information about future arrangements once decisions have been reached.”
A spokesperson for NHS England said: “NHS England recognises the vital role that the Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service has played in supporting survivors, the bereaved and the wider community.
“We remain supportive of efforts to ensure that people affected by the tragedy can continue to access the care and support they need, while local NHS partners work with the community to shape future service arrangements.”
