The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to meet to discuss feedback from development sessions, NHS reforms, and the implementation of their joint health and wellbeing strategy. A key item for the board's consideration was the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, alongside updates on the Better Care Fund.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to consider the findings of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) and approve the report for publication. The PNA provides an assessment of the need for pharmaceutical services in the area for up to three years, and is used by NHS England when making judgements on applications to make changes to local community pharmacy provision.

The report states that Health and Wellbeing Boards have a legislative duty to develop and update Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments, as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.

The report concluded that:

Based on the information available at the time of developing this PNA no gaps in the need for the necessary services in specified future circumstances have been identified in any of the localities.

It was noted that ongoing temporary closures in Bath and North East Somerset may influence future service provision if sustained or widespread. Concerns relating to the availability of medicines, staffing levels and waiting times should be referred to the Commissioner of Community Pharmacy Services at the NHS South West Collaborative Commissioning Hub.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Implementation Plan

The Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to discuss the Quarter 2 Exception Reports for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Implementation Plan. The report pack included exception reports for the following priorities:

• Priority 1: Ensure that children and young people are healthy and ready for learning and education.
• Priority 2: Improve skills, good work and employment, also taking into account the Business and Skills Plan Annual Report July 2025.
• Priority 3: Strengthen compassionate and healthy communities.
• Priority 4: Create Health Promoting Places.

Each priority had several strategy objectives and actions associated with it. The report assessed the risk level for each action, and provided reasons for escalation where necessary.

Priority 1: Children and Young People

The report noted that plans to review trauma information resilience training were ongoing. The Be Well B&NES Children's Network has been formed, and is overseeing the development of a business case to support the work of the Educational Attainment Gap Report and recommendations.

Priority 2: Skills, Work and Employment

The report noted that discussions with Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Metro Mayor ¹ about signing up to the West of England Combined Authority Good Employment Charter had taken place.

Priority 4: Health Promoting Places

The report noted that the Infrastructure Task and Finish Group membership was to be broadened to progress health, social care and community infrastructure work. The report also noted that work was required to ensure the Local Plan is informed by a TRUUD approach ².

The Housing Plan was adopted in April 2025, and a new affordable warmth grant was about to launch with details on the Energy at Home website.

Better Care Fund Update

Laura Ambler, Executive Director of Place – B&NES BSW ICB, was scheduled to provide a verbal update on the Better Care Fund³.

Changes within NHS

Laura Ambler, Executive Director of Place – B&NES BSW ICB, was also scheduled to advise the Board of the latest developments within the NHS.

Feedback from Development Sessions

Paul Harris, Curo, was scheduled to provide feedback on the previous Health and Wellbeing Board Development Session on Warm Homes.