Grenfell health service faces funding uncertainty

An essential NHS service supporting survivors and bereaved families of the Grenfell Tower fire is facing potential funding reductions from NHS England. The Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service, which offers therapies and group support, has no confirmed funding beyond 2029, a Kensington and Chelsea council meeting was informed. The council is now pressing NHS England to guarantee long-term financial backing for the service.

NHS England initially committed £50 million for community recovery in 2018, which has funded the service. The Local Democracy Reporting Service stated that the NHS West and North London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has applied for £1.8 million to continue its operation. The fire in June 2017 resulted in 72 fatalities. Separately, the Crown Prosecution Service has indicated that decisions on potential charges will be made before the 10th anniversary of the fire, which falls on 14 June 2027.

Council calls for certainty

Councillor Lucy Knight, the lead member for adult social care and public health at Kensington and Chelsea council, expressed concern about the uncertainty. She stated that "no-one should be left worrying" about the continuity of their care. Knight added that the NHS acknowledges the upcoming period may be particularly challenging for the affected community. She argued that now is not the appropriate time to alter the care model to accommodate a reduced budget, unless the revised model can still meet the community's needs.

A cross-party motion passed by the council calls on the local authority to inform the ICB and the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), which manages the service, that survivors and the bereaved remain a priority. The motion also urges NHS England to confirm sustained funding.

Next steps

Representatives from the ICB and CNWL are scheduled to attend a council scrutiny meeting in December. In a September update, the service assured that support would "not simply stop". The ICB stated its priority is to ensure future arrangements effectively meet the needs of those affected, with local input being sought to shape proposals. NHS England has stated it supports efforts to ensure continued care for those impacted by the fire.