The Isles of Scilly Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss a report on child poverty, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, and a collaborative approach to mental health and wellbeing promotion. The report pack included recommendations for the board to recognise the findings of the reports, support the recommendations, provide input on the next strategy, and commit to accessing training.

Director of Public Health Annual Report: Child Poverty

The board was scheduled to consider the Director of Public Health Annual Report, which focuses on child poverty in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The report, co-authored by Eunan O'Neill, Director of Public Health for Cornwall, Katie Ash, Director of Public Health for Isles of Scilly and Assistant Director of Public Health for Cornwall, Kate Evan-Hughes, Strategic Director - Together for Families for Cornwall Council, Anne Coyle, Interim Director of Children's Services, Lucy Walsh, Advanced Public Health Practitioner, Fay Colloff, Public Health Practitioner, and Conan Millen, Information Analyst, highlights that over 27,000 children and young people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are growing up in relative poverty¹. The report includes insights from babies, children and young people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, gathered with the support of voluntary and community sector organisations.

The report pack stated that the Isles of Scilly face unique challenges, including geographical isolation, a seasonal economy, and limited infrastructure, which can deepen the experience of poverty. The report also makes a series of recommendations for action to prevent poverty and reduce its impact, and calls for a 'poverty lens' to be embedded across all functions.

The report pack stated that the report is aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child².

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025-2028

The board was scheduled to discuss the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028. The PNA, which is required by the National Health Service Act 2006, assesses the need for pharmaceutical services in the area. The report pack stated that the PNA was developed with the support of a steering group of pharmacy experts and incorporated feedback from a public consultation.

The report pack stated that the PNA did not identify a need for a new pharmacy premises on the Isles of Scilly, but it notes unique challenges with access to pharmacy services there. The report pack stated that the PNA recommends support for pharmacy services on the Isles of Scilly through use of the LPS contract approach³, which is intended for smaller pharmacies.

A collaborative approach to mental health and wellbeing promotion and prevention of 'deaths of despair'

The board was scheduled to discuss a report highlighting the need for public mental health and suicide prevention across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The report provides an update on the suicide prevention strategy and proposes a number of recommendations.

The report pack stated that island communities face mental health-related challenges such as access to mental healthcare, geographic isolation, stigma and socioeconomic factors. It recommends particular consideration be given to mental health and suicide prevention training for all residents of the Isles of Scilly, alongside membership of the Orange Button Community Scheme.