The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to consider a range of updates on health services and strategic plans. Key discussions are expected to cover community pharmacy services, NHS dental reforms, the Integrated Care Board's five-year plan, and progress on Neighbourhood Health initiatives.

Community Pharmacy Update

An update is scheduled on the national Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework and related initiatives. This will include information on services such as Pharmacy First, which allows community pharmacies to provide advice and treatment for common conditions without a GP appointment, and the Pharmacy Contraception Service, enabling women to access oral contraceptive pills through pharmacies. The Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service, offering free blood pressure testing for adults aged 40 and over, will also be discussed. The report highlights that all Wiltshire pharmacies have signed up to deliver these three new services, though a small number are not yet actively delivering all of them. The update will also cover the Independent Prescribing Pathfinder, which tests pharmacist independent prescribing, and workforce development initiatives aimed at addressing pharmacist vacancy rates. Regulatory changes affecting pharmacy supervision and hub-and-spoke dispensing are also on the agenda.

NHS Dental Reforms Update

The Board will receive an update on the reforms to NHS Dentistry contracts, which are planned for implementation from April 2026. The reforms aim to improve patient access to urgent and unscheduled dental care, incentivise high-quality, evidence-based clinical interventions, and support the dental workforce. Key changes include a revised payment structure, the introduction of complex care pathways, and enhanced utilisation of dental nurses for preventive care. The reforms also aim to reduce unnecessary check-ups by supporting evidence-based recall intervals and introducing quality improvement initiatives.

Update on Integrated Care Board (ICB) Five Year Plan

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to discussing the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) ICB's Five Year Strategic Commissioning Plan. This plan outlines the ambition to transform health services over the next five years, aligning with the NHS 10-Year Plan. The plan focuses on three key shifts: moving care from hospitals to the community, embracing digital transformation, and shifting from treating sickness to focusing on prevention. The report highlights that the plan is informed by local health and wellbeing strategies and Joint Strategic Needs Assessments¹. The Board will be asked to endorse the draft plan and provide feedback.

Neighbourhood Health in Wiltshire

An update will be provided on the development of Neighbourhood Health in Wiltshire, a national requirement within the NHS Medium-Term Planning Framework. This initiative aims to create a neighbourhood-first model where health, social care, and community partners work together to deliver integrated support closer to where people live. Wiltshire has been selected as one of 15 systems nationally to receive tailored support through the NHS England Better Care Fund (BCF) Improvement Support Programme for 2025–26. The report outlines the agreed governance and roles in Wiltshire, with the Health and Wellbeing Board providing strategic oversight and approval for the Wiltshire Neighbourhood Health Plan. The BSW Neighbourhood Health Vision will be presented for endorsement as a shared planning tool.

Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre Update

The Board will receive an update on the progress of the Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre (TICC), a £16 million facility replacing the Trowbridge Community Hospital. The centre is expected to open in late Spring 2026 and aims to provide increased access to specialist care closer to home, reduce hospital admissions and A&E attendances, and improve primary care access. The report details community engagement feedback, anticipated benefits such as increased outpatient appointments and reduced demand on out-of-hours services, and the centre's contribution to NHS Net Zero commitments.

Better Care Plan Update

An update will be provided on developments relating to the implementation of the Better Care Fund (BCF). The report includes the BCF Q3 quarterly reporting submission to the national team, detailing expenditure and performance against national metrics. While discharge performance is broadly on track, emergency admissions and long-term residential admissions for people aged 65 and over are not meeting planned trajectories due to sustained system pressure and increasing complexity of need among patients. The report outlines mitigating actions and preparations for the transition to an Integrated Care Funding Framework from 2026/27.