The Health and Wellbeing Board of Doncaster Council met on Thursday 4 June 2026 to discuss a range of critical health and wellbeing initiatives for the borough. Key decisions included endorsing the Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2025-2026, approving the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026/27, and noting updates and actions related to the Neighbourhood Health Model. The Board agreed to influence greater system involvement and backing for the Team Doncaster Dementia Strategy 2026-2031 and endorsed recommendations for improving the health of the minority population in Doncaster, while noting the progress and challenges of the Minority Health Action Plan.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2025-2026

The Board endorsed the Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2025-2026, which detailed the Board's work over the past year in supporting the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Doncaster 2024-2030. A significant shift in the Board's approach was highlighted, with meetings being held in community venues across the city, which members acknowledged had positively impacted the inclusion of community voices in discussions. The report also provided a summary of achievements against the Board's three priority areas and reflected on the contributions of various partners.

Better Care Fund

The Board noted the content of the Doncaster 26/27 Better Care Fund Plan and endorsed the plan for 2026/27, which includes a summary of finances, budget breakdown, narrative commitments, and metric targets. Discussions focused on ensuring the effectiveness and impact of the funded services, with clarification provided on the eligibility of privately rented properties for the Disabled Facilities Grant. The plan reflects a shift towards a Neighbourhood Health Service model, with intermediate care identified as a key neighbourhood health service area. The Board noted the opportunity to align funding with the Better Care Fund to enhance its impact and acknowledged the increased emphasis on adult social care within the 2026-27 Framework. An action was agreed to commission a report on pooled budgets for Children and Young People.

Community Centred - Neighbourhood Health Model and the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board

A presentation provided an update on the development of Neighbourhood Health in Doncaster, including the latest guidance, submissions to the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and ongoing engagement activities. The Board noted that the expected guidance had been delayed and expressed concern about potential shifts in focus from health to healthcare services within the national programme. Members emphasised the importance of continuing to develop health services tailored to Doncaster's needs and ensuring the Health and Wellbeing Board's continued support for this. The Board resolved to note the update, approve identified actions and next steps, and continue to provide oversight of neighbourhood health, including the development of neighbourhood health centres.

Compassionate Approach - Team Doncaster Dementia Strategy

The Board agreed to influence greater system involvement and backing for the Team Doncaster Dementia Strategy 2026-2031, which was co-produced with individuals living with dementia and their carers. The strategy outlines priorities including leading well, preventing well, diagnosing well, supporting well, living well, caring well, and dying well. Discussions highlighted the importance of early intervention and risk reduction, with reference made to NHS Health Checks and the potential for Age UK to support carers. Concerns were raised about the NHS's preparedness for the predicted rise in dementia diagnoses and the need for longer-term planning. The Board agreed to arrange for the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus to attend a future meeting to enhance understanding of the lived experience of dementia and its system impacts, and to ensure effective Health and Wellbeing Board sponsorship of the Dementia Strategy.

Evidence Informed - HDRC Impact Report

The Board considered the HDRC Doncaster Impact Report, which demonstrated how the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) has boosted research capacity and capability within local government. The report showcased three case studies illustrating how evidence can directly support Health and Wellbeing Board priorities: the Women's Health Initiative, the Gambling Harms work, and the Ageing Friendly Survey. The Board discussed the importance of how evidence is presented and how the HDRC team can continue to work with Council teams and partners. An action was agreed to facilitate a link between RDaSH and the HDRC to explore evidence-informed approaches, particularly regarding poverty-proofing services. The Board resolved to consider how these evidence-informed approaches can be systematically embedded within its work and decision-making processes.

Health Equity in All Policies - DBTH Health Inequalities Strategy

The Board noted DBTH's progress in tackling health inequalities and the alignment of the Trust's Tackling Health Inequalities Enabling Plan with the HWB's three priority areas. The presentation detailed the scale of the challenge, DBTH's progress, governance structures, and data infrastructure, including an Equity Index and dashboards. Discussions covered the Veterans' Programme, period poverty, and efforts to improve access for inclusion health groups within Emergency Departments. The Board resolved to support the recognition and integration of all relevant health inequalities strategies across Doncaster, reaffirm its commitment to tackling health inequalities as a sustained system-wide priority, and support improved cross-organisation sharing of population health data.

Intersectionality - Annual Report on Improving the Health of Minority Communities in Doncaster 2026

The Board noted the progress and challenges of the first year of implementing the Minority Health Action Plan 2025/26 in Doncaster and endorsed the recommendations for improving the health of the minority population in Doncaster. The report highlighted the development of an Ethnic Minority Communities data dashboard and financial support provided to minority communities. Challenges included the accuracy and quality of ethnicity data and the limited availability of interpreters for less common languages. Actions were agreed to benchmark no recorded ethnicity data, produce a report on support for residents with English as an additional language, and design a structured discussion on improving outcomes for ethnically diverse and minority communities.