The Kingston Partnership Board met to discuss the 10-year health plan, the pharmaceutical needs assessment, and the Kingston compact. The board approved the Kingston Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025 and the plan to maintain it until 2028. The board also approved the Kingston Compact 2025-2028, which aims to strengthen partnerships between the council, the NHS, and the voluntary sector.

The Kingston Compact 2025-2028

The board approved the Kingston Compact July 2025, a document outlining how the Royal Borough of Kingston, the NHS, and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector will collaborate to strengthen partnerships, support community outcomes, and tackle inequality in the borough. Louise Fittner, Executive Director, Residents and Communities at Kingston Council, described the compact as a truly collaborative process . Sonia Geric-Kane, Kingston Voluntary Action CEO, added that the compact clarifies working methods to support prevention, community well-being, and inclusion.

The compact outlines four key outcomes:

• Recognition and respect for the VCSE sector's contributions.
• Effective partnership working to ensure resources and data are used effectively.
• Participation and representation, ensuring communities have a voice in decisions.
• Sustainability and funding for activities that prioritise community needs and reduce inequalities.

Councillor Kamala Coogan, Councillor for Coonvale Ward, raised concerns that the paper was too utilitarian and did not address the creative and spiritual needs of the community. She asked how the strategy would serve meditation and mindfulness. Ms Fittner clarified that the action plans, sitting below the high-level compact, address these concerns.

Approval of the Kingston Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025

The board approved the Kingston 2025 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) and a plan to maintain it until 2028. Laura McLehose, Consultant in Public Health, explained that the PNA is a statutory duty of health and wellbeing boards and helps plan pharmaceutical services. The PNA was completed by a steering group with support from Soar Beyond, and a formal consultation was held.

Angina Sharma from Soar Beyond, explained that the PNA measures services commissioned nationally and identifies any gaps in necessary services. The methodology ensures robust research and analysis. The consultation received 10 responses, with most agreeing with the PNA's conclusions. The PNA found a wide range of services meeting the population's needs, with sufficient provision and no identified gaps.

Councillor Coogan raised points about data presentation, inhaler disposal, and poverty among children. Ms McLehose responded that data variations were due to differing data sets. Sharma clarified that inhaler disposal is outside the PNA's scope, though pharmacies accept waste medication returns.

The 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Update

Joe Farah, Chief Executive of Kingston Enrichment NHS Foundation Trust, Sam Morrison, ED for Adult Social Care and Health at the Council, and Katie Scammell, Director of Public Health in Kingston, provided a verbal update on the 10-year health plan and neighbourhood health developments. Farah outlined three key shifts: moving care closer to citizens' homes, transitioning to digital solutions, and focusing on preventative action. He also noted the financial pressures facing the NHS.

Scammell highlighted the plan's emphasis on partnership working and prevention, including commitments to healthy weight, mental and physical health, and addressing poor housing quality and air quality. Morrison discussed reforms to the Better Care Fund¹ and the potential transfer of Healthwatch² activities to local authorities.

Farah detailed plans for integrated neighbourhood health teams and centres, including proactive anticipatory care³. He mentioned Kingston's unsuccessful bid for the neighbourhood health phase one national programme, but highlighted their participation in a national frailty discovery collaborative.

Stephen Bitty, Chief Executive Officer, Health Watch, requested discussions on the Healthwatch model's usefulness and the future of independent public service voice organisations. Councillor Coogan raised concerns about accessibility to GP appointments, particularly for the elderly, and suggested Healthwatch could help fill this gap. Councillor Diane White, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, including Education, expressed excitement about neighbourhood working and requested a detailed paper on its development.

Robin Hutchinson from the Community Burrowing Creative Youth, Mayor of London Design Advocate and Board Member of the South London Partnership, emphasised the importance of prevention and accessible gateways to services. Councillor Coogan suggested an exception report segmented by society groups to better focus decision-making. Geric-Kane noted that a joint strategic needs assessment already addresses these priorities.