The Health & Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 27 November 2025 was set to review progress on Ambition 7 of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on accessible and quality services. The Board was also scheduled to receive an update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) programme, including the latest Borough Stories for Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, and a verbal update on the Better Care Fund Q2 submission.

Ambition 7: Accessible, Quality Services

The meeting was scheduled to discuss progress on Ambition 7 of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which aims to ensure accessible, quality services that meet the needs of residents. This paper provided an overview of how progress is being made, noting the alignment with the new NHS 10 Year Plan's focus on community-based care. The report highlighted the development of the Bi-Borough Neighbourhood Health programme, outlining national and regional policy changes, local developments, and the programme's status. It also detailed the establishment of the Integrator function, a Place-level enabling function designed to support neighbourhood health delivery. Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) was proposed to act as the 'Host' Integrator for the Bi-Borough, with other organisations hosting specific functions. The Bi-Borough's acceptance onto Wave 1 of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) was also noted as a key development.

The report also detailed the Vibrant & Healthy Communities Programme's workstream, which aims to develop a community-led outcomes framework to measure progress against resident-defined priorities. Furthermore, the Family Hubs offer across both boroughs was discussed, highlighting their role in providing integrated services and accessibility for families from pre-birth onwards. The Best Start in Life programme, aimed at improving outcomes for children aged 2½ to 5 years, was also mentioned.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Update

An update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) programme was scheduled, focusing on the latest version of the Borough Stories for Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, published in Autumn 2025. These documents provide an overview of the health and wellbeing needs of residents and communities in both boroughs. The paper was intended to inform the Board about recent thematic JSNA reports and those currently in progress, encouraging consideration of how this information can influence commissioning, strategic and policy decision-making, and resource allocation.

The Borough Stories for both Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea highlight the diversity of the boroughs, with many residents reporting good health and high life expectancy. However, they also identify significant variations in health outcomes and life expectancy across different areas, ethnicities, and income levels. Key challenges identified include tackling health inequalities, the prevalence of obesity in both adults and children, mental health and wellbeing concerns, and low rates of screening and immunisation. The reports emphasise the need for a whole-systems approach, involving collaboration between key partners and local communities, to address these challenges.

The JSNA programme for 2024/25 included completed thematic reports on Global Majority communities, the Grenfell Tower tragedy, sexual health, and healthy weight. Reports in progress for 2025/26 include a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, a JSNA on sex workers, and work on Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), LGBTQIA+ needs, and Health Visiting.

Better Care Fund Q2 Submission

The Board was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the Better Care Fund Quarter 2 Submission. The previous meeting's minutes, held on 25 September 2025, were also to be agreed and progress on arising actions noted.