The Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss a range of issues, including updates on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services, children and young people's plans, pharmaceutical needs, public health initiatives, and the Better Care Fund¹. The board also discussed the Healthwatch Richmond annual report and work plan, and agreed to note the progress on the delivery of age well priorities.

Healthwatch Richmond Annual Report and Work Plan

The board noted the Healthwatch Richmond Annual Report 2024-2025 and discussed the work plan for 2025-2026. Mike Derry, Chief Officer at Healthwatch Richmond, presented the report, which highlighted the organisation's work in gathering feedback from the community and using it to improve health and social care services.

Derry noted that Healthwatch Richmond had engaged with just under 40 groups, predominantly those considered hard to reach, to understand their experiences with NHS and social care services. He highlighted several key achievements, including:

• Securing a commitment from NHS South West London to address inequalities in dentistry access in Richmond.
• Contributing to the approval of a new pharmacy for Hampton, following the closure of two others.

Derry also raised concerns about the future of Healthwatch, as its role is due to be passed on to the local authority and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). He emphasised the importance of preserving the independence and local focus of patient voices in any future arrangements.

Councillor Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, thanked Derry for Healthwatch's work and assured him that the board would take every opportunity to ensure its value was preserved during the changes.

SEND Futures Plan

The board noted the progress on the SEND Futures Plan, which aims to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Richmond. Charis Penfold, substituting for Ian Dodds, Joint Director of Childrens Services, provided an overview of the plan, noting that the safety valve agreement with the Department for Education had ended.

Penfold highlighted several positive developments, including work on vocational pathways and the establishment of a pre- and post-diagnostic support team. However, she also noted ongoing challenges, such as waiting times for assessments and the impact of savings within the ICB on SEND activity.

Councillor Bennet asked what the council would be hoping to see in the new formula for calculating the funding, and what the likely deficit would be without it. Penfold responded that the challenge with the current formula is that it is rooted in historical information, not what is happening now for children and young people, and that the projected cumulative overspend is £4.5 million.

Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Vice-chair of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee (Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector), asked about the waiting list for assessments, and whether there were enough trained assessors to do the work. Jenny, who is part of the ICB, responded that she would take the question back to her team and provide a response.

Children and Young People's Plan Annual Review

The board noted the first-year progress in delivering the actions in the Children and Young People's Plan 2023-2028.

Councillor Sara Challice, Carers Representative, asked how the council could ensure all schools sign up to the young carers in schools programme. Penfold responded that presentations from schools who've been part of that is a really positive way of engaging, and that she would take that back as a possible agenda item.

Councillor Baldwin requested to see the equalities impact needs assessment, particularly in light of the Supreme Court decision about transgender issues. Penfold responded that she would take that back to the team that completes the equalities assessment.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Update

The board received an update on the South West London Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). Dr. Nika Robosoy introduced the report, explaining that the PNA is a review of pharmacy services in the borough, carried out every three years, to understand what's working well and ensure pharmacies meet the health and wellbeing needs of local people.

Dr Robosoy noted that a draft PNA had been produced and was out for consultation until 7 September, after which a final version would be brought to the board for sign-off.

Mike Derry commented that the process seemed more distant than in previous years, and that it was worth asking if the £8,000 saving plus a £500 management fee for the local authority represented value for money. Dr Robosoy responded that the work was done on behalf of the National Health Watch, and that it wasn't about making savings at all, but about bringing everybody together across South West London to ensure that pharmaceutical needs are being met.

Public Health Board Annual Report

The board noted the Public Health Board Annual Report for 2023-2025. Shannon Katiyo, Director of Public Health, introduced the report, highlighting the board's objectives and key areas of focus, including the Public Health Outcomes Framework Report and the public health grant assurance process.

Katiyo also mentioned future priorities, such as the getting Britain working plans and addressing gambling harms and public health.

Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Age Well

The board noted the progress on the delivery of the age well priorities in the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which focuses on falls and frailty, dementia, and social isolation.

Jenny Freeman and Brian Roberts provided an update on falls and frailty, highlighting work with care homes and the urgent community response services. Councillor Challice asked about awareness and training for unpaid carers regarding manual handling.

Freeman discussed the proactive work that's been managed in the borough to support falls and frailty, and mentioned a new role in the care home support team.

Jenny Freeman also spoke about the dementia step, highlighting the work of the dementia-friendly Richmond. Steve Schaffelberg highlighted the social isolation step, mentioning the SILS partnership and digital work being done to combat social isolation. Heather Mathew added that the voluntary sector is vital in local networks and community assets and community empowerment.