The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 12 March 2026 was set to cover a range of significant public health topics, including the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans, strategies to improve the experience of ageing, and initiatives to address health disparities in women and children. Discussions were also planned on creating healthier living environments, the board's membership, and reviewing important reports.

Neighbourhood Health Model and the Role of the Health and Wellbeing Board

The board was scheduled to discuss the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans in Doncaster and the evolving role of the Health and Wellbeing Board in supporting their implementation. This discussion was informed by national guidance on the Better Care Fund and the anticipated role of Health and Wellbeing Boards in providing strategic leadership, defining local neighbourhood footprints, and setting expectations for planning and delivery. The report outlined potential options for the sign-off of the Neighbourhood Health Plan addendum, should national timelines prove challenging for the usual governance processes. These options included delegating sign-off to the Chair, bringing forward a board meeting, or approving a virtual sign-off process.

Improving the Experience of Ageing

A report was scheduled to provide a comprehensive update on collaborative work to improve the experience of ageing in Doncaster. This discussion was intended to highlight progress made, identify challenges and barriers, and explore areas where the Health and Wellbeing Board might offer additional support or leadership. Board members were asked to consider which actions should be sustained or accelerated and how they could champion these priorities within their own organisations.

Closing the Gap in Women's and Child Health

The board was set to discuss efforts to Close the gap in women's and child health by strengthening prevention, enhancing early intervention, and improving outcomes for women, children, and families through a whole-system, relational, and trauma-informed approach. The report detailed work on consolidating collective resources, implementing the Thrive and Doncaster Family Model, and progressing towards a single shared assessment tool. It also highlighted how resident feedback has shaped this work, including experiences of Early Help assessments and planned trauma-informed city initiatives. Recommendations included receiving an update on investment in prevention-focused interventions, noting progress in embedding relational practice, supporting the adoption of a Trauma-Informed Practice Charter, endorsing efforts to address barriers in developing a shared assessment tool, and acknowledging the importance of improving postnatal care as a priority for 2026/27.

Healthy Places to Live, Grow and Play

This agenda item was scheduled to provide summary updates on current areas of focus for Healthy Places, including gambling harms and the Gambling Levy, road safety, and workplace health. The report detailed the use of engagement methods, specifically the delivery of a Doncaster Citizens Jury on Health Harming Products, and referenced the 2026 Director of Public Health annual report, which describes story circle methods for engaging with LGBTQ+ people and communities. The board was asked to note progress on commercial determinants of health, acknowledge the application of the gambling levy, support the development of a workplace health platform, and note the case for a Doncaster Road Safety Strategy.

Health and Wellbeing Board Membership

A report was scheduled to address the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board. It noted that the board brings together leaders from across the city to promote integration, strengthen partnerships, and improve population health. The report outlined the statutory and invited members representing key partners and indicated that an annual review of membership ensures appropriate representation aligned with evolving system structures. Following recent organisational changes within the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Anthony Fitzgerald was stepping down as Vice Chair. Board members were asked to consider future membership, identify nominations for the Vice Chair role, and identify suitable deputies in preparation for the next meeting.

Reports for Noting: January Development Session and Health Protection Annual Report

The board was scheduled to note two reports. The first summarised the Health and Wellbeing Board's development session held on 15 January 2026, which focused on reflecting on progress, strengthening the board's role, and planning future actions. Key action points identified included strengthening action tracking and accountability, reviewing the sponsor model, and enhancing public accountability. The second report was the Health Protection Assurance Annual Report for 2025/26, which covers emergency preparedness, infection prevention and control, air quality, sexual and reproductive health, substance misuse, suicide prevention, and immunisation and screening programmes.

Health and Wellbeing Board Forward Plan

A verbal update was planned regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board's forward plan. Members were asked to consider items for future meetings, including the appointment of a Vice Chair in June 2026, the HWB Annual Report for 2025-26, updates on the Better Care Fund (BCF), a Minority Health Plan, and further development sessions.