The Waltham Forest Health and Wellbeing Board and Health and Care Partnership Boards were scheduled to meet to discuss a promoting wellbeing update, a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) update on Romanian community engagement, a long term conditions strategy, and a Better Care Fund update. The meeting was also scheduled to include discussion of the minutes of the previous meeting and the forward plan.

Long-Term Conditions Strategy

A draft Waltham Forest Long-Term Conditions (LTC) Strategy was scheduled to be discussed. The strategy was designed to be high-level, and would be supported by a more detailed action plan, with actions led by partners from across the health and care system.

The draft strategy focused on key physical long-term health conditions which contribute to a significant amount of morbidity, mortality and inequality in Waltham Forest:

• Chronic respiratory diseases: asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cardiometabolic conditions: diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Comorbidity: two or more long term conditions; and multimorbidity, complexity and frailty

The draft strategy proposed four key areas of strategic priority:

• Prevention and early detection
• Improved treatment and management
• Pathway development and integration
• Proactive care and self-management

In addition to the four areas of strategic priority, five groups of people have been identified based on the evidence of health inequalities:

• Those living in areas of deprivation and poor air quality
• Asian and Black ethnic groups
• Those with an existing long-term condition
• Those with learning disabilities
• Those aged 50 years and older

Engaging with the Romanian Community

The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to discuss engaging with the Romanian community in Waltham Forest.

The report pack included that this work was initiated in response to a 162% increase in the number of Romanian-speaking residents living in Waltham Forest between 2011 and 2021, as highlighted in the 2023 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment¹. The report pack stated that initial qualitative insight revealed persistent health inequalities and access barriers affecting the Romanian community across north east London. It noted that although the NHS is free at the point of use, many Romanian residents, particularly those with limited English, precarious housing, or recent arrival status, face significant challenges in navigating the system and accessing timely, appropriate care.

The report pack stated that the approach combined online and in-person engagement, with a strong emphasis on listening to lived experiences and co-producing insights with the community. It noted that engagement was conducted in Romanian, led by trained Community Insight Researchers from within the community, and designed to be culturally sensitive and accessible.

The report pack stated that engagement revealed a complex picture of how the Romanian community experiences health and care in the UK:

• Barriers to health and wellbeing
• Cultural expectations from health and care
• Urgent care experiences
• Language, trust and access
• Health literacy
• Specific challenges in navigating health and care

Promoting Wellbeing Update

The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to discuss the progress of the Promoting Wellbeing workstream, which aims to advance a preventative approach and reduce health inequalities.

The report pack stated that the Promoting Wellbeing steering group brings together partners from services across the local authority, NHS, and the voluntary and community sector to drive forward an agreed set of priorities related to promoting wellbeing, the prevention of ill-health and reducing health inequalities.

The report pack included summary updates on progress for each of the workstreams:

• Strengthening the partnership with the voluntary and community sector and faith groups, to promote health
• Borough of Sanctuary
• Employment and Health
• Housing and Health
• Mental Health Promotion
• Locality Hubs and Primary Care Spaces

Strengthening the partnership with the voluntary and community sector and faith groups, to promote health

The report pack stated that since March, the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Leadership Group has continued to make meaningful progress in supporting system alignment and strengthening the role of the voluntary and community sector within health, wellbeing, and social care in Waltham Forest. It noted that key achievements include securing funding for 2025/26, agreeing final project outcomes and metrics, and deepening involvement in Locality Hub and Neighbourhood development work. It also noted that planning is underway to launch a targeted grants programme for BAME-led organisations working to prevent and manage long-term conditions such as Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Borough of Sanctuary

The report pack stated that progress continues on supporting migrant and refugee communities with a focus on equitable healthcare access. It noted that a new Safe Surgeries working group has been launched, fostering collaboration across NHS, ICB, and Public Health teams, and that GP access materials are being actively distributed across Council and VCS venues, and the issue is now a permanent fixture on BoS meeting agendas.

Housing and Health

The report pack stated that progress continues to be made in the priority area of housing and health, including the central importance of housing in the council's Marmot response. It noted that key commitments and actions around healthier homes for private renters have been included in the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) strategy, and an associated plan. It also noted that initial health data has been shared with PRS licensing officers to target inspections in areas of high asthma prevalence, and the use of the LIFT tool by the Housing Sustainment team to identify low-income private renters who may be struggling to extend their tenancies.

Mental Health Promotion

The report pack stated that following workshops led by The King's Fund², the mental health of Black boys and young men was identified as one of three systemic priorities. It noted that work is progressing to establish five key workstreams, each with a designated statutory lead, and that a new Oversight Board will be formed, co-chaired by statutory and VCS leaders, with a focus on strong Black leadership. The report pack also noted that Kooth Digital Health has been commissioned to lead a six-month, culturally tailored community engagement pilot (June–November 2025) to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Black boys and young men (ages 10–25) in Waltham Forest.

Locality Hubs and Primary Care Spaces

The report pack stated that a draft commissioning strategy for the delivery of Coronation Square has been developed which includes the delivery of locality hubs as well as the relocation of two GP practices (Leyton Healthcare and Francis Road).

The report pack also noted that the PCN health equity grants programme will launch at the end of July 2025, with the ability to award up to £15,000 per PCN.

Better Care Fund Update

The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to discuss the Better Care Fund (BCF) Update.

The report pack stated that the Better Care Fund (BCF) is a national programme that aims to further develop integrated health and social care for residents. It noted that under the BCF, NHS Integrated Care Boards and local authorities are required to enter into annual pooled budget arrangements and agree an integrated spending plan to be approved by each organisation and then by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The report pack stated that a jointly agreed plan between local health and social care commissioners for BCF 2024-2025 was submitted and signed off by the HWB in July 2024, and that the allocated funds for 2024/25 are monitored through quarterly spending reports.

The report pack noted that the BCF year-end report (2024/25) highlights that Waltham Forest successfully met its annual targets for both discharge to the usual place of residence and permanent residential admissions, which remain on track. However, it noted that the borough narrowly missed the target for avoidable emergency admissions due to elevated rates in Q1 and significantly exceeded the planned rate of falls among the 65+ population, indicating a need to review the effectiveness of the falls prevention service.

The report pack also noted that a NEL-wide working group has been set up to review how the Better Care Fund (BCF) is used across the system, with the aim of improving consistency, effectiveness, and strategic alignment.