The Health and Wellbeing Board of the Isles of Scilly Council met on Thursday, 11 June 2026, to discuss the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026/27, feedback from neighbourhood health and wellbeing engagement, and the implications of the Health Bill 2026. The Board approved the Better Care Fund Plan, noted the feedback from engagement, and supported further work on the Health Bill.

Isles of Scilly: Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27

The Board ratified decisions made by the Chief Executive Officer regarding the Isles of Scilly: Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27. These decisions included approving the submission of the plan to NHS England and delegating authority for the submission of quarterly and end-of-year returns to the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board. The Better Care Fund aims to pool budgets between the NHS and local authorities to deliver integrated and preventative care, supporting individuals to remain independent for longer. The 2026-27 plan continues to focus on the Neighbourhood agenda, with specific allocations for reablement services, community connections to minimise social isolation, integration capacity, care coordination, healthy ageing initiatives, community equipment, disabled facilities grants, and recruitment and retention of the care workforce. Performance metrics for the plan include reducing emergency admissions for those aged 65 and over and decreasing the average length of discharge delays for adult patients.

Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Interim Engagement Feedback

The Board received and noted the interim engagement feedback from the Isles of Scilly neighbourhood health and wellbeing events held in May 2026. Juliet Ferris, Place Director for West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, presented the findings, which highlighted issues such as anxiety around transport and associated costs, difficulties navigating services, health living barriers, and positive feedback regarding the minor injuries unit. Concerns were also raised about patient transport and the availability of fresh produce. The Vice-Chairman noted that smoking rates were double the national average and expressed concern about the SWAST communication system on the off-islands. Lucy Tuson, Director of Experience and Engagement for NHS Devon ICB and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, assured the Board that there was a commitment to acting on the feedback and maintaining open communication. The Director of Public Health for the Isles of Scilly, Katie Ash, suggested using the Integrated Neighbourhood Team to provide more regular agenda slots for health services. The Board resolved to support continued joint working to review the findings and identify next steps for the Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Discussion Paper on the Health Bill 2026

The Board noted the emerging implications of the Health Bill 2026 for the Isles of Scilly. Katie Ash, Director of Public Health for the Isles of Scilly, explained that the Bill proposes significant changes to the NHS operating model, including the abolition of NHS England and increased commissioning responsibilities for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). The Bill also signals a shift towards Neighbourhood Health Plans and continued emphasis on Joint Strategic Needs Assessments. The Board supported further work with system partners to assess the local implications and provide an update when national proposals are clearer. The Vice-Chairman stressed the necessity of a strong partnership between the ICB and the Council, and Juliet Ferris clarified that the high-level Neighbourhood Plan covers both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with the islands having their own Wellbeing Plan.

DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report 2024-2025

Ruth Goldstein, Assistant Director of Public Health, presented the DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report 2024-2025. The Board was assured that effective health protection arrangements were in place across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during the reporting period. The Vice-Chairman expressed pleasure that the islands' weather resilience challenges were being factored in and inquired about increased efforts regarding measles. Ruth Goldstein encouraged people to check their vaccination status, noting that measles spreads easily and vaccination remains relevant.

Commitment to Remaining Part of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

This item was deferred to a future meeting.

CIOS SAB Annual Report 2024-2025

Fiona Field, Independent Chair for the Safeguarding Adults Board, presented the CIOS SAB Annual Report 2024-2025. The Board received and noted the report, which details the Board's activity against strategic priorities and partner contributions to safeguarding adults. The report highlights themes of self-neglect, physical abuse, and psychological abuse, and outlines learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs). The Board also noted the financial implications related to the report's production and the potential for an easy-read version.