Barnet Extends Smoking Cessation Contract to 2027 Barnet 2026

Key Points

• Barnet Council has awarded a £400,943 contract extension for smoking cessation services.
• The decision was approved on Thursday, May 14, by Dawn Wakeling, executive director for communities, adults and health.
• The contract is awarded to Barnet Federated GPs Community Interest Company (CIC).
• The extension runs until April 2027, with some elements backdated to April 2026.
• The CIC delivers NHS health checks and GP-led smoking cessation support.
• NHS health checks target adults aged 40–74 without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
• Smoking rates in Barnet have fallen from 17.4% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2024.
• Central government has increased funding, including £70 million nationally for smoking cessation support.
• Barnet received over £680,000 across two financial years from this funding stream.

Barnet Council (North London News) May 16, 2026 – Barnet Council has approved a six-figure contract extension to continue smoking cessation services across the borough, securing provision until April 2027 through its partnership with Barnet Federated GPs Community Interest Company (CIC).

What has Barnet Council decided about smoking cessation services?

Barnet Council formally approved a £400,943 contract extension to continue delivering smoking cessation services, ensuring continuity of support for residents seeking to quit smoking.

The decision was made on Thursday, May 14, by Dawn Wakeling, the council’s executive director for communities, adults and health.

The agreement extends the council’s existing partnership with Barnet Federated GPs CIC, a social enterprise already embedded in local healthcare delivery.

The extension covers a one-year period, with certain elements of the service provision backdated to the start of April 2026. The contract is scheduled to run until April 2027, maintaining service availability without interruption.

How will the contract extension be implemented?

The structure of the contract reflects two distinct components of service delivery, each with different timelines.

The primary service provision delivered directly by Barnet Federated GPs CIC has been backdated to April 2026 and will continue through to April 2027.

Meanwhile, the management contract for NHS-related services—particularly NHS health checks—will begin in July 2026 and conclude in July 2027.

This staggered timeline ensures alignment with NHS operational frameworks while maintaining continuous support for smoking cessation programmes within GP practices.

What services are included in the contract?

The contract covers a range of public health services aimed at reducing smoking prevalence and improving early detection of chronic conditions.

Barnet Federated GPs CIC will continue to:

• Deliver GP-based smoking cessation services.
• Manage NHS health checks across the borough.
• Provide integrated support within primary care settings.

NHS health checks form a significant part of the service. These checks are offered to adults aged 40 to 74 who do not have a pre-existing diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of these checks is to identify early warning signs of major health conditions, including stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type two diabetes, and dementia. Early detection allows for timely intervention and reduces long-term pressure on healthcare services.

Why are NHS health checks important for Barnet residents?

Local authorities such as Barnet Council are legally required to offer NHS health checks every five years to eligible residents.

These checks are a central component of preventative healthcare policy in England. By targeting individuals who may not yet show symptoms, the programme aims to reduce the incidence of serious illnesses through early diagnosis and lifestyle interventions.

Smoking cessation services are closely linked to this preventative approach, as smoking remains one of the leading risk factors for many of the conditions screened during NHS health checks.

What do the latest figures show about smoking rates in Barnet?

Data from the Department of Health and Social Care indicates a significant decline in smoking rates within Barnet over the past decade.

Smoking prevalence in the borough fell from 17.4% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2024. This represents a substantial reduction and reflects broader national trends in smoking behaviour.

However, national data shows a similar pattern, with smoking rates across England decreasing from approximately one in five adults to one in ten over the same period.

This suggests that while Barnet has seen improvements, these are broadly consistent with national progress rather than unique to the borough.

According to a council report referenced in the decision-making process, local stop smoking services “have been incredibly successful to date,” highlighting the role of sustained public health interventions.

How is central government funding supporting local services?

The contract extension comes within the context of increased national investment in smoking cessation services.

In 2024, the Labour government announced an additional £70 million in funding to support councils in delivering stop smoking programmes. This funding is distributed through a targeted support grant.

Barnet Council received £333,217 for the 2024/25 financial year and £346,923 for 2025/26. This funding has since been incorporated into the council’s ring-fenced public health grant, specifically allocated for smoking cessation initiatives.

The availability of this funding has enabled the council to maintain and extend its services without significant disruption, ensuring continued access for residents.

What role does Barnet Federated GPs CIC play in local healthcare?

Barnet Federated GPs Community Interest Company operates as a social enterprise, working across GP practices to deliver integrated healthcare services.

Its role in smoking cessation includes coordinating support through primary care networks, offering advice, treatment options, and follow-up care for individuals attempting to quit smoking.

By embedding services within GP settings, the CIC provides accessible and locally coordinated support, which is considered a key factor in improving engagement and outcomes.

Background: How have smoking cessation services evolved in England?

Local stop smoking services were first established in 1999 as part of a national government strategy to reduce smoking rates.

These services were designed to provide structured support, including behavioural counselling and pharmacological treatments, to help individuals quit smoking. Over time, they have become a core component of public health policy in England.

The integration of smoking cessation services with broader preventative healthcare measures, such as NHS health checks, reflects a shift towards early intervention and long-term health planning.

Legal obligations placed on local authorities to provide health checks and public health services have further reinforced the importance of maintaining consistent funding and delivery structures.

Prediction: How could this development affect Barnet residents?

The continuation of smoking cessation services is likely to ensure ongoing access to support for residents attempting to quit smoking, particularly those engaging with GP services.

For eligible adults, the integration of smoking cessation with NHS health checks may lead to earlier identification of health risks and increased uptake of preventative care.

From a public health perspective, sustained investment and service continuity could contribute to further gradual reductions in smoking rates, although trends are expected to remain aligned with national patterns rather than diverging significantly.