The Health and Wellbeing Board of Hillingdon Council met on Wednesday 09 September 2026 to discuss the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Performance Report, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, gambling harm prevention, and the SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. Key decisions included the delegation of authority to approve the final Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the agreement to note the progress on the SEND JSNA.

Integrated Health and Wellbeing Performance Report and Service Update

The Board received an update on Hillingdon's strategic priorities and transformation programmes. The system is showing signs of stabilisation and improvement, particularly in discharge performance, frailty management, and mental health crisis flow. However, challenges remain with emergency demand and length of stay in hospitals. Priorities for the next six months include sustaining reductions in patients who no longer meet the criteria to reside in hospital, scaling up the frailty programme, and fully mobilising the Reactive Care Hub. The Board was asked to note the content of the report.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2031: Update

Gary Collier, the Council's Health and Social Care Integration Manager, presented an update on the development of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The strategy, which sets out partner ambitions for improving health and wellbeing in Hillingdon, has undergone public consultation, with feedback highlighting concerns about joined-up care, communication, and access to timely help. The Board was asked to note the outcomes of the consultation, approve proposed amendments, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to approve the final version of the strategy and delivery plan.

Gambling Harm Prevention

Nick Sinclair, Public Health Principal, and Lucy Hays from Gambling Harm UK presented an update on work to reduce gambling harm in Hillingdon. Hillingdon has been awarded £65,656 from the gambling levy for this financial year, which will be used for a needs assessment, workforce training, and awareness campaigns. The Board was asked to consider how it could support this work, with suggestions including nominating a board sponsor, supporting the establishment of a working group, and considering the inclusion of gambling harm prevention in local strategies. Sharon Stoltz, the Council's Director of Public Health, offered to sponsor the work.

SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Update

Andy Kimber, Senior Public Health Manager, provided an update on the development of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is a mandatory requirement under recent SEND reforms, aiming to ensure children with SEND receive timely and consistent support. The JSNA will draw together data from health, social care, and education. The Board was asked to note the content of the report, acknowledging the scale of the task and the challenging timeline for completion by Christmas 2026.

Board Planner & Future Agenda Items

The Board reviewed its planner for the forthcoming cycle of meetings. It was agreed that the SEND JSNA and the Place Operating Model would be considered at the meeting on 09 September 2026. Other items noted for future agendas included updates on Opal 4, care home outturns, governance alliance agreements, and left shift investment. The Board also discussed the need for a wider JSNA, with plans to move towards a web-based format.

The meeting concluded with the Board moving into private session.