The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, to discuss updates on public health support for the NHS, neighbourhood health initiatives, and the Better Care Fund. The meeting will also cover progress on priority neighbourhood development and future meeting dates.

Public Health Support to NHS, Strategic Commissioning and Neighbourhood Health

This report, presented by Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health, outlines how Worcestershire Public Health is supporting new developments within the NHS, particularly focusing on the Integrated Care Boards' (ICBs) role in strategic commissioning and the implementation of Neighbourhood Health. Strategic commissioning is described as a continuous, evidence-based cycle of understanding population needs, developing long-term strategies, allocating resources, and evaluating impact to improve population health and equity. Neighbourhood Health is presented as a national initiative that places communities at the centre of prevention, care, and recovery, recognising that many health outcomes are influenced by factors outside of acute healthcare services. The report details three key areas of support from Public Health: insight and intelligence, health improvement services, and community engagement and development. It is recommended that the Board notes the report and agrees to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between Public Health and the ICB to guide future support.

Neighbourhood Health in Worcestershire

This report, authored by Dr Neill Bramble and Ellen Rule, among others, provides an update on the progress of Neighbourhood Health in Worcestershire. It follows on from a previous update in November 2025 and details the development of neighbourhood health plans, which are a requirement of the 10-Year Health Plan for England. The report highlights progress in understanding population needs, developing an interim Strategic Neighbourhood Health Plan, and engaging with partners across the NHS, local government, and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. It also outlines the definition of neighbourhood footprints, which are emerging Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and the development of local priorities and actions based on local needs. The report recommends that the Board notes its contents for assurance.

Better Care Fund Update

This report, presented by Mark Fitton and Simon Trickett, provides an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2025/26, along with planning requirements for 2026/27. The BCF is a national vehicle for driving health and social care integration. The report details the submission of Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 reporting templates to NHS England and notes that Worcestershire continues to meet the four national BCF conditions. It highlights progress against key metrics, including emergency admissions and hospital discharge timeliness, while also noting challenges with admissions to long-term residential and nursing care. The report also covers the additional funding announced for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and outlines the financial monitoring position for the BCF. It recommends that the Board signs off the reporting templates, notes the budget monitoring position, and acknowledges the publication of the national BCF 2026/27 Planning Framework.

Priority Neighbourhood Development Update

This item is scheduled to be presented by Elizabeth Griffiths. The report is expected to provide an update on the progress of the Priority Neighbourhood Development programme. This programme, which previously won a national LGC Public Health Award, is embedded within preventative work across the local NHS and wider system. It focuses on identifying and addressing health inequalities by using population insight to target resources in areas of highest need and supporting people with complex and long-term conditions through community-led approaches.

Future Meeting Dates

The Board will be presented with a schedule of future meeting dates for the 2026/27 period. This includes dates for both public and private development meetings.