The Kingston Partnership Board met on Thursday 24 April 2025 to discuss the draft Kingston Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2028 and the Better Care Fund Plan for 2025-26. The meeting also included updates on the work of the Board and the contribution of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to health and wellbeing.

The Kingston Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2028

The Board was presented with the draft Kingston Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) for 2025-2028 for approval. This strategy, developed by a Steering Group, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Kingston residents and reduce health inequalities. It is structured around three life stages: 'Start Well', 'Live Well', and 'Age Well', with nine priority areas for joint action. The strategy also outlines four 'golden threads' – cross-cutting themes – and a series of 'ways of working' to guide its implementation. The document highlights the importance of addressing health inequalities, ensuring inclusive services, considering the impact of climate change on health, and working with the local community and voluntary sector. The strategy is informed by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and aligns with national guidance, including the NHS Core20PLUS5 approach.

The strategy proposes priorities for each life stage:

• Start Well (birth to 19 years): Focuses on improving mental health and wellbeing, supporting healthy lifestyles, and creating an environment that supports good respiratory health. Key outcomes include increased social engagement, reduced substance misuse, improved oral health, and better air quality.
• Live Well (working age adults): Aims to create an environment that supports a healthy weight and promotes physical health, adopt a harm reduction approach to tobacco, alcohol, and substance misuse, and promote good mental health and wellbeing. Outcomes include increased physical activity, reduced smoking and alcohol-related hospital admissions, and improved mental health support.
• Age Well (older residents): Focuses on supporting people to remain active and promote physical health, creating a connected community that supports good mental health and wellbeing, and supporting people to stay in their homes for longer. Outcomes include increased local exercise opportunities, reduced social isolation, and sustained reduction in falls admissions to hospital.

The strategy also identifies four 'golden threads': prioritising those living in deprivation, ensuring inclusive health and care offers, considering the impact of climate on health, and working with the local community and voluntary sector. The 'ways of working' theme emphasises prevention, effective communication, and partnership working. Progress will be measured annually against a set of outcome measures.

Better Care Fund Plan 2025-26

The Board was asked to approve the Kingston Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan for 2025-26. This plan supports the integration of health and social care, focusing on two key national objectives: shifting from sickness to prevention and supporting people to live independently and transition from hospital to home.

The plan outlines Kingston's priorities for 2025-2026, which are informed by local strategies and include a focus on frailty, health inequalities, mental health (including dementia), carers, and ongoing discharge pathway improvements. The BCF budget for 2025-26 is £20.3 million, with funding allocated to schemes and services supporting national objectives and local priorities. Key developments since the previous BCF plan include the ICB Length of Stay programme, the rollout of Tech Enabled Care, the launch of the 'Age Friendly' initiative, and the establishment of a new OT Assessment centre.

The plan details how the BCF will support the shift from sickness to prevention by providing timely, proactive support for complex needs, utilising home adaptations and technology, and supporting unpaid carers. It also outlines plans to prevent avoidable hospital admissions, achieve more timely discharges, and reduce the need for long-term residential care. The plan includes targets for reducing emergency admissions, improving discharge delays, and managing admissions to long-term residential and nursing care. The Capacity and Demand planning for 2025-26 indicates that Kingston anticipates meeting demand through a combination of block and agile spot purchasing, with a focus on a 'Home First' approach.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The agenda also included a verbal update on the work of the Board, a verbal update on the VCSE sector's contribution to health and wellbeing, and an update on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment consultation. A verbal update on the Integrated Care Board was also scheduled.