The Health and Wellbeing Board of Ealing Council met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss updates on the Better Care Fund (BCF) and the Ealing Borough Based Partnership's progress on Neighbourhood Health and partnership working. Key decisions included noting the BCF 2026/27 plan and receiving updates on various initiatives aimed at improving integrated and preventative care within the borough.

Better Care Fund Update

The Board received an update on the Ealing Better Care Fund (BCF) 2026/27 plan, which has been submitted to the national team and approved. The BCF is a key mechanism for delivering integrated and preventative care, with a significant focus on shifting services towards a neighbourhood health model. The plan outlines how Ealing will continue to invest in preventative services, the voluntary sector, and neighbourhood health initiatives.

A pooled budget of approximately £60 million is allocated for the BCF, with significant investment planned for residential care, prevention, intermediate care, and the Disabled Facilities Grant. The BCF aims to reduce hospital admissions, prevent admissions to care homes, and support residents to live independently for longer. The plan is underpinned by a Section 75 agreement, which governs the financial and operational aspects of the pooled budget. The Board was assured that quarterly updates on progress, including case studies and examples of impact, will be provided.

Ealing Borough Based Partnership: Neighbourhood Health and Partnership

The Board received an update on the progress of the Ealing Borough Based Partnership (BBP) in developing Neighbourhood Health and strengthening partnership working. This initiative is a response to national policy and frameworks, aiming to deliver more joined-up, preventative, and community-based services. The BBP's work is designed to address key challenges in Ealing, including health inequalities, increasing demand for mental health, children's, and frailty services, and variations in outcomes across different neighbourhoods.

Key deliverables for 2026/27 include the refurbishment of Carmelita House as a children's therapy centre, the implementation of an Assertive Outreach Team for mental health, the mobilisation of Child Health Hubs across all neighbourhoods, and the opening of the Neighbourhood Health Centre at Jubilee Gardens. Additionally, plans are in place to roll out Frailty Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) to two further neighbourhoods and to establish a 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre. The partnership is also focusing on community mobilisation projects to empower residents and address local health inequalities.

The report highlighted that neighbourhoods with the highest deprivation also experience the lowest life expectancy and highest non-elective bed utilisation, indicating a need for targeted, proactive investment. The BBP governance has been revised to ensure accountability for improving resident outcomes, with a focus on collaboration, shared problem-solving, and system leadership. West London NHS Trust is acting as the 'Integrator' for Ealing, providing executive and clinical leadership to support the development of the place-based partnership.