The Health and Wellbeing Board and Surrey Integrated Care Partnership met on Wednesday 17 June 2026 to discuss a range of public health initiatives and strategic planning for the future of health and wellbeing services in Surrey. Key decisions included the endorsement of a whole-system strategy for addressing gambling-related harms and the approval of a refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy aiming to reduce health inequalities until 2030. The meeting also covered updates on the Better Care Fund, a whole-system approach to healthy weight, and the Integrated Care Board's transition to a new operating model.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

A significant portion of the meeting focused on mental health prevention and support. The Mental Health Prevention Board's work plan for 2025/26 was reviewed, highlighting progress in areas such as supporting young adults, older adults, and families, as well as addressing common mental health conditions and promoting integrated neighbourhood teams. Discussions also touched upon the challenges of crisis provision and the need for a more joined-up approach across services. The Mental Health Investment Fund's impact was celebrated, with funding allocated to various VCSE partners to deliver creative interventions and support vulnerable young people.

Addressing Gambling Harms

A new Whole System Approach to Addressing Gambling Related Harm strategy for Surrey was presented and endorsed by the Board. This strategy outlines eight key priorities, including improving local data, raising universal awareness, strengthening licensing and planning policies, and focusing on prevention for children and young people. The strategy aims to be scaled up across Surrey, with a phased approach leading to its integration into the new unitary authorities post-Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Refresh

The Board approved the final draft of the refreshed Health and Wellbeing Strategy (HWBS) for 2026-2030. This refresh ensures the strategy remains fit for purpose amidst significant system changes, including the move to unitary authorities and the establishment of a single Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Surrey and Sussex. The updated strategy maintains its focus on three key priorities: supporting healthy lives, promoting mental health and emotional wellbeing, and addressing wider determinants of health. It also incorporates new priority populations and key neighbourhoods based on the latest data and strategic developments.

Better Care Fund (BCF) Planning

An update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2026/27 was provided, highlighting its importance in funding integrated health and care delivery. The plan focuses on prevention, reducing avoidable hospital admissions, and supporting timely hospital discharge. However, future uncertainty was acknowledged due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and potential changes to the Integrated Care Funding Framework (ICFF). The total BCF budget for 2026/27 was confirmed at £137.7 million, with the majority allocated to core statutory services.

Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight

The Board received an update on Surrey's whole-system approach to tackling childhood obesity. This approach recognises that child weight is influenced by complex factors beyond individual behaviour, requiring collaboration between local government, the NHS, schools, and community organisations. The strategy focuses on early intervention, creating healthy environments, and strengthening community resilience. Recommendations included integrating unhealthy weight into the End Poverty Pledge, maximising opportunities with new neighbourhood health teams, upskilling community workers, and ensuring the approach is evidence-based.

Integrated Care Board (ICB) Update

An update was provided on the transition to the new Surrey and Sussex ICB, which became operational on 1 April 2026. This involved a significant reduction in the ICB's workforce and a move towards a leaner organisational structure. The Board also received an update on the five-year strategic plan, with a detailed delivery plan being developed for implementation. Discussions also covered neighbourhood health initiatives, including national pilots and proposals for neighbourhood health hubs.

Other Discussions

The meeting also included updates on the VCSE Working Group, highlighting progress in strengthening the role of the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector in neighbourhood governance and partnership arrangements. The HWBS Highlight Report and Index Update provided an overview of progress against the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, identifying areas of improvement and challenges. The annual refresh of the HWBS Index and Scorecard was also presented, incorporating new indicators to better track progress.

The next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled for 15 July 2026, with a focus on healthy weight, and the subsequent formal meeting on 9 September 2026, aiming to engage the new shadow authorities.