The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 15 October 2025 to discuss a range of critical health and wellbeing initiatives for Croydon residents. Key decisions included noting the progress of the mental health programme, approving the publication of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, and agreeing to a forward plan for addressing anti-racism within the health system.

Overview of Mental Health Programme of Work from Wider Partners

The Board received a comprehensive overview of the extensive work being undertaken to promote good mental health and wellbeing across Croydon, aligning with Priority 1 of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Dr Jack Bedeman, Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, highlighted the launch of Croydon's self-harm and suicide prevention strategy and action plan on World Mental Health Day. This multi-agency initiative is supported by a steering group focused on developing and implementing recommendations. Ongoing efforts include enhancing mental health first aid and trauma-informed training to foster a trauma-informed borough. Culturally and trauma-informed counselling is being delivered at a locality level, with examples of its origins stemming from discussions at previous Health and Wellbeing Board meetings.

Steve Phaure, representing Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA), detailed the Building Brighter Futures programme, funded by the Maudsley Charity. This £994,000, three-year project targets young people aged 10-19 facing challenging circumstances. It aims to establish a new model of mental health support through a rapid response service, where rapid responders based within six partner organisations (Mind in Croydon, Croydon Drop-In, Off the Record, Palace for Life Foundation, Be Inspired, and Reaching Higher) will provide one-to-one mentoring within three days. This intervention is designed to reduce waiting lists and prevent tragic outcomes, with a focus on pathways to personal and career development. The project is also working closely with CAMHS¹ and Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)² to ensure alignment and integration. An independent evaluation is being supported by London South Bank University (LSBU) and Reedham Children's Trust.

Lisa Rodio, Creative Health Programme Manager, presented the council's Creative Health team's work, which promotes mental health and prevention across all ages. A grant programme awarded 40 grants to local community groups and individuals to address health inequalities through creative mediums. Examples include creative writing groups for marginalised adults in New Addington, music production workshops for disengaged young people, and drama workshops for unemployed or isolated adults in the north of the borough. The primary health and wellbeing outcomes of these grants include reducing social isolation, improving feelings of connection, reducing anxiety and low mood, and building confidence and resilience. A Creative Health Network, with over 170 members, provides training and support, including a recent session on mental health services across the borough.

Sian Kirk, Senior Mental Health Transformation Manager for South West London ICB, provided an overview of Croydon's contribution to the wider South West London all-age mental health strategy. This strategy, now in its third year, focuses on Community Mental Health Transformation, improvements in children and young people's mental health, and the development of crisis and urgent care pathways. Key initiatives include strengthening integration within neighbourhood teams, adopting a no-wrong-door approach to access, and a continued focus on ethnicity and race equality. The Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) is central to driving improvements in crisis care, inpatient experience, outreach, and workforce diversity. Mental health school teams are a cornerstone of early intervention, with plans to expand borough-wide by 2028.

Councillor Annette McPartland raised a concern about the lack of specific provision for older adults within the mental health programme, highlighting the need to address the mental health needs of those ageing with mental health conditions and those transitioning into older adulthood. Councillor Yemisi Gibbons, Chair of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, inquired about the integration of the Building Brighter Futures programme with statutory providers. Steve Phaure explained that rapid responders would work closely with Child Welfare Practitioners (CWPs) and that the ambition was for year-two integration, with potential for CAMHS representation on their allocation panel.

The Board noted the work being undertaken and recommended that the Board consider opportunities to champion and promote the wider range of interventions and services available in the borough that support good mental health and wellbeing for all residents.

Anti-Racism Programme of Work

The Board received an overview of the activity in relation to Priority 1 of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on the Croydon Anti-Racism Work Programme. Dr Jack Bedeman, Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, explained that a task and finish group had been meeting regularly over the summer to shape a strategic approach to anti-racism within the health system. The group has been considering various frameworks, including the South West London framework, which was significantly informed by Croydon organisations and communities.

The fundamental aim is to move beyond rhetoric and ensure tangible changes that improve residents' lives. The task and finish group proposed a two-workshop approach: an initial workshop for Health and Wellbeing Board members and the task and finish group to establish a shared understanding and intention, followed by a wider community-facing workshop in 2026. The first workshop, scheduled for 14 November, will be facilitated independently to allow for open and honest conversations about leadership commitment and the journey towards anti-racism.

Councillor Janet Campbell, a member of the task and finish group, emphasised that this work cannot be rushed and requires dedicated time for powerful and honest conversations. Councillor Yemisi Gibbons raised concerns about ensuring measurable outcomes and avoiding the creation of a shiny new framework document with no tangible change. Dr Bedeman assured the Board that action plans with measurable outcomes are integral to all documents produced. Councillor Edwina Morris, Chair of Healthwatch Croydon, questioned the scope of the programme and how effectiveness would be ensured, suggesting a link to the core 20 plus 5 work on health inequalities. Dr Bedeman clarified that the initial focus is on what the Health and Wellbeing Board has control over as a statutory body, with the potential to expand the scope later. Councillor Hermine Kabir sought clarification on workshop participants, and it was confirmed that the first workshop would include Board members and task and finish group members, with a future community-facing workshop planned. Steve Phaure suggested leveraging the borough's community infrastructure for engagement rather than solely relying on workshops.

The Board agreed to the recommendations to convene a workshop in November to strengthen and shape Croydon's strategic approach to anti-racism and to approve the approach for wider workshop sessions in 2026.

Better Care Fund 2025-26 Quarter 1 Submission

Paul Connelly, Head of Integrated Contracts and Performance for the One Croydon Alliance PMO, presented the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 1 submission for 2025-26. He reported that expenditure is on track, with a year-to-date underspend in the better disabilities facilities grant, which is expected to align towards the end of the year. The ICB has spent 24% of its BCF in the first quarter, which is as expected.

Metrics show no significant changes, with all goals on track to be met except for residential admissions, for which a mitigation report and actions are being developed. National conditions are met, with the exception of the Section 75 agreement being signed, which was met at the time of submission. Changes to the BCF for next year are expected, which may affect funding, but detailed financial conversations are yet to occur. The Board was asked to ratify the submission to NHS England.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Sally Hudd, Public Health Principal, presented the Croydon Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025. This is the first time a collaborative South West London approach has been taken, with Kingston being the only local authority not involved due to differing publication timelines. The PNA was developed in accordance with Department of Health and Social Care guidance, including a public questionnaire and a 60-day consultation period. The final draft was presented to the Board for discussion and final amendments were made.

The Board was asked to recommend the publication of the PNA for 2025, noting that the last PNA was published in November 2022 and a new one is statutorily required by November 2025. Section 8 of the PNA, detailing future opportunities for community pharmacy services, was also highlighted for review.

Councillor Yemisi Gibbons commented that the PNA indicates no gaps based on the provided formula, but acknowledged resident perceptions of pharmacy closures. She stressed the importance of communicating the strategic direction of maximising public health outcomes with existing pharmacy capacity, rather than focusing solely on a numbers game. The Chair acknowledged the point about residents' perceptions and the challenges of access for those without transport. Sally Hudd confirmed that ongoing maintenance of the PNA and supplementary statements are being discussed with South West London colleagues. Councillor Joseph Lee inquired about incentives for pharmacies in private areas to help residents with health inequalities, and Ruth Hutchinson noted that Section 8 of the PNA includes recommendations for integrating community pharmacies into preventive healthcare and looking for incentives in underserved areas.

The Board agreed to the recommendations to sign off the 2025 Croydon Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for publication and to review Section 8 regarding the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board for future opportunities.

South West London Integrated Care Board Annual Report and Accounts, 2024-25

Hilary Williams presented the South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25. The report covers performance, accountability, and annual accounts. There were no specific recommendations for the Board, other than to note the contents. It was commented that the report shows significant synergy with the commitment to anti-racist practice, scrutiny of performance through an equity lens, and a focus on reducing health inequalities for at-risk groups. The Board noted the contents of the report.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

Dr Jack Bedeman, Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, presented the Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan. The next Board meeting on 28 January 2026 will focus on healthy, safe, well-connected neighbourhoods and communities. Suggested agenda items include a highlight report on the patient tier programme, creative health evaluation insights, and feedback from the anti-racism workshop. The Board also discussed the need to encourage public questions and engagement, with suggestions including a presence at Local Community Partnerships (LCPs) and opportunities for board members to attend and highlight the Board's work. The importance of co-production with residents and shared governance was also raised. The Board agreed to take these discussions offline to consider how to best engage with the public.

The meeting concluded with the Board noting the work being undertaken by Croydon Council's public health team and adult social care team in relation to promoting mental health, wellbeing, and preventing mental illness, and also noting the work being undertaken within the community to support good mental health and wellbeing for all. It was recommended that the Health and Wellbeing Board consider opportunities to champion and promote the wider range of interventions and services that are available in the borough that support good mental health and wellbeing for all residents.