The Newham Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss the NHS 10-year plan, neighbourhood working, health initiatives, and food security in the borough. The board approved the 50 Steps 24/25 Annual Report, committing to continued partnership working and prioritising action on key outcomes. They also discussed a workshop to reshape the board's membership and agenda.

NHS 10-Year Plan and Integrated Care Board (ICB) Update

The board received an update on the NHS 10-year plan and its implications for the Newham Health and Care Partnership. Jo Frazer-Wise, Director of Delivery, Newham Health & Care Partnership, summarised the plan's key elements, including shifts:

• From hospital to community care
• From analogue to digital healthcare
• From treatment to prevention

The plan aims to deliver more care closer to home through neighbourhood health services, expand digital access via the NHS app¹, and prioritise preventative measures.

A key element of the plan is the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, adopting a population health approach at a neighbourhood level.

The report also highlighted the need for NHS North East London to undertake a restructure to deliver a 50% running cost reduction within 2025/26, which will significantly reduce resources at the Newham Place.

Councillor Mumtaz Khan, Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, raised concerns about the unspecified nature of the plans and sought assurance that the board would have opportunities to shape the plan's structure.

Shaping the Health and Wellbeing Board

The board discussed reshaping its membership and agenda to meet the opportunities of neighbourhood working and ICB changes. They agreed to a half-day development workshop in November for a wider board membership and relevant stakeholders, with the aim of drafting and agreeing on a changed format and membership in January.

Healthwatch Newham Update: Smoking Cessation

The board received an update on Healthwatch Newham's work to strengthen community capacity for supporting residents to quit smoking. Diane Barham from Local Voice, the organisation now delivering Healthwatch in Newham, presented the report, highlighting work with South Asian and Deaf communities. The initiative aimed to build capacity in the community by training 'Smoke Free Champions' and enhancing community engagement.

Key findings included the importance of trusted relationships, cultural and linguistic barriers, and the growing use of vapes and cigars as perceived safer alternatives. The report noted that engaging through faith centres was more difficult than expected due to issues around trust.

A common barrier faced was the perceived stigma around smoking, particularly within faith-based communities, where smoking may be viewed as a moral or personal shortcoming.

Councillor Sarah Jane Ruiz, Deputy Mayor & Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education & Sustainable Transport, asked about engaging young people in the work, and whether vaping was being addressed.

The board requested data on referrals to the Quitwell Newham team for the next meeting.

Newham Health Equity Programme Update: 50 Steps Annual Report

Claire Greszczuk, Interim Director of Public Health, presented the 50 Steps 24/25 Annual Report, highlighting progress made and areas requiring sustained focus. The report presented key performance indicators, equity objectives, and public health outcomes.

Improvements were noted in smoking rates, physical activity, and adult healthy weight. However, challenges remained in children's weight, oral health outcomes, and cancer screening rates.

The board approved the report and committed to maintaining activity and partnership working, prioritising action on outcomes where Newham performs less well than the London average.

Eat Well Newham: Fruit and Veg on Prescription

Aaishah Ahmed, Assistant Strategist, and Dr Adeola Agbebiyi, Public Health Consultant, presented an update on the Eat Well Newham programme, focusing on a pilot scheme for fruit and vegetable prescriptions. The initiative addresses the affordability of healthy food, with 27% of Newham residents needing to spend 50% of their disposable income to meet the recommended healthy diet.

The pilot, funded by North East London ICB, provides £6 per week to the member of the household with diabetes, and plus £2 per member of the household, to be spent on fruit and vegetables from selected vendors in East Ham and Queen's Market. The aim is to improve diets, reduce food insecurity, and support local businesses.

Andy Gold, Head of Food Strategy, explained that the programme is a proof of concept, particularly around using vouchers and building household support.

Food Security Update: Newham Food Alliance

Andy Gold and Malik Nazir, Community Partnerships Officer, provided an update on food security in Newham, focusing on the Newham Food Alliance and its readiness for the Crisis Resilience Fund. The alliance, established in 2020, comprises over 40 voluntary, community, and faith sector organisations, the council, and regional partners.

The alliance focuses on:

• The Social Welfare Alliance, a training programme for frontline workers.
• The Front Door, a single point of entry for residents experiencing food insecurity.
• Maximising surplus food distribution.

The presentation highlighted the success of the Community Hot Meals programme, where meals serve as a gateway to accessing further support.