The ONE Stockport Health and Care Board met on 3 September 2025, and among the topics discussed, were the Greater Manchester Early Cancer Diagnosis Strategy, the Stockport Age-Friendly Action Plan, and the impact of climate change on health and social care. The board also reviewed the financial position, performance metrics, and updates on key services such as paediatric audiology and children's services.

Here's a detailed look at the key discussion points:

• Greater Manchester Early Cancer Diagnosis Strategy The board approved the Greater Manchester (GM) Early Cancer Diagnosis Strategy, designed to achieve the national long-term plan of diagnosing 75% of cancers at an early stage. The strategy outlines five priorities to reduce variations in early diagnosis across the 10 localities in GM and between different cancer types. The five key areas of the strategy are:

  • Symptom Awareness: Increasing public understanding of cancer and building symptom awareness.
  • Reduce Variation: Identifying and understanding variation to mitigate its harmful effects.
  • Collaborate with Primary Care: Integrating primary care with other health and care providers.
  • Cancer Screening and NHS-wide Programmes: Enabling early cancer detection through screening and other NHS England initiatives.
  • Innovation: Identifying and developing innovative ideas and establishing Greater Manchester as a leader in pilot programmes.

  The strategy aims to ensure equitable and timely early diagnosis for all residents, with a focus on those in deprived areas. The board was asked to ensure that the population of Stockport is reflected in the delivery plan. The GM Early Cancer Diagnosis Strategy 2024-28 will be reviewed annually by the Early Diagnosis Programme Board.

• Stockport Age-Friendly Action Plan 2025/26 The board discussed and supported the Stockport Age-Friendly Action Plan for 2025/26, which aligns with the GM Age-Friendly Strategy and the World Health Organization framework. The plan focuses on creating inclusive communities, providing accessible services, and promoting policies that increase resilience, independence, and wellbeing for older residents. The plan has ten areas of focus:

  • Housing
  • Respect and inclusion
  • Social participation
  • Employment and civic participation
  • Transportation
  • Communication and information
  • Community support and health services
  • Outdoor spaces and buildings
  • Active Ageing
  • Digital Inclusion

  The plan addresses inequalities and aims to ensure that all residents can age well. The board renewed its commitment to creating an age-friendly borough.

• Climate and Nature (CAN) The board discussed the importance of tackling climate change in Stockport and reviewed the newly published Climate and Nature Strategy 2025-30, which outlines Stockport's plan to create a climate- and nature-friendly borough. The report highlighted current and future climate risks, the exacerbation of vulnerability due to social and geographic inequalities, and the need for both carbon emission reduction and improved adaptation and resilience. A key component of the strategy is the District Heat Network, which will provide energy for heating and hot water to buildings along the A6 corridor. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust represents 44% of the demand from the network, with 82% of the energy demand coming from public sector buildings. The board noted the achievements and progress outlined in the report and provided feedback on the future of the CAN programme.

• Finance Report The board reviewed the financial position as of 31 July 2025 (Month 4), noting a year-to-date overspend of £1.565m and a forecast outturn overspend of £2.769m. The forecast includes £2.418m in recovery plan initiatives. Year-to-date savings of £2.547m have been achieved, in line with the plan, and the full-year saving target of £4.490m is forecast to be exceeded by £0.298m. Capacity funding for Stockport has been reduced by £0.742m due to financial pressures within the NHS Greater Manchester system. The board noted the financial position and the reduction in capacity funding.

• Locality Assurance Meeting (LAM) Update Report and Locality Performance Reporting The board received an update on the areas of focus and key lines of enquiry discussed in the latest Locality Assurance Meeting (LAM). Key areas included the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS), Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), implementation of the children's neurodiversity hub, CAMHS access, mental health discharge targets, paediatric audiology, Continuing Healthcare, children's respite provision, hypertension and CVD outcomes, coordination and safety across the primary–secondary care interface, and finance. The board also reviewed Stockport's performance against Greater Manchester metrics, including urgent care, elective care, cancer, mental health, learning disability and autism, primary care and community services, quality, maternity, screening and immunisations.

• One Stockport Delivery Plan 2025-26 The board reviewed the revised One Stockport Locality Delivery Plan 2025/26, which includes more information on Adult Social Care and proposed priority areas should resources be affected by NHS reforms. The plan outlines high-level system-wide programmes and transformation workstreams, including those related to Stockport's Sustainability Plan. The board noted the report, reviewed and agreed on priorities, and supported and endorsed the plan.

• Stockport Locality Quality Group Report The board received an update from the Stockport Locality Quality Group (SLQG) on the quality, safety, and performance of health and care services in Stockport. Key themes included promoting inclusive healthcare, supporting children with complex health needs in schools, improving safeguarding practices, and managing infection prevention and outbreak responses. The board noted the update on the Paediatric Audiology service, which is still undergoing work to restore it, and the Adult Community Eating Disorder Service, which has a new provider. The board noted the content of the report.

• Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) Update The board was updated on the recent Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS), which resulted in a downgrading for Stockport since 2017. Key areas for improvement were identified, and immediate steps have been taken to address them. The board noted the report.

• SEND Update The board received an update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Stockport, including information on demand, timeliness, and preparation for adulthood. The report highlighted the continued pressure on resources and the impact on families, as well as improvement activity and progress to date. The board noted the report and the position relating to SEND inspection preparation and possible outcomes.

• Flash Reports The board received and noted flash reports from the One Stockport Safer Partnership, the Stockport Primary Care Commissioning Committee, and the Stockport Family Partnership.

• Other Business There were no questions from the public. The board was informed of the Neighbourhood bid, the Respiratory bid, and the Weight Management update.

In summary, the ONE Stockport Health and Care Board addressed a range of strategic and operational issues, focusing on improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and ensuring the effective delivery of services for the Stockport population.