The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 16 April 2026 was set to discuss a range of significant public health matters, including the Devon Dementia Strategy, suicide prevention, and initiatives to promote smoke-free environments. The board was also scheduled to review progress on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Better Care Fund.

Devon Dementia Strategy

A key item on the agenda was the consideration and commentary on Devon's Dementia Strategy. This strategy, developed collaboratively with people with lived experience of dementia and various organisations, aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by dementia in Devon. It outlines a plan to raise awareness, ensure timely diagnosis and support, enhance care quality, support families and caregivers, foster dementia-inclusive communities, and provide personalised end-of-life care. The strategy is structured around the Well Pathway for Dementia, focusing on preventing dementia, diagnosing it effectively, supporting individuals and their carers, enabling people to live well with dementia, and ensuring they die well. The report highlighted that dementia prevalence in Devon is projected to rise significantly, with a particular concern for rural areas having lower diagnosis rates. The strategy proposes specific actions for each stage of the dementia pathway, including increasing awareness, supporting research, reducing the use of high-risk medications, improving diagnostic rates, and enhancing post-diagnosis support.

One Devon Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan

The board was scheduled to review and ratify the One Devon Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan for 2026-2031. This plan, co-developed by system partners, aligns with the national Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. It aims to coordinate multi-agency actions to reduce suicides across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. The plan is underpinned by principles of localised delivery, collaborative working, meaningful involvement of people with lived experience, equity and inclusion, and evidence-informed practice. The report noted that Devon has a higher suicide rate than the England average, with specific districts showing higher rates. The plan includes 64 objectives and aims to improve emotional wellbeing, support for those with mental health issues, and support for those bereaved by suicide.

DCC Suicide Prevention Update

An update on Public Health Devon's suicide prevention programme activity was also on the agenda. This included information on a suicide awareness session for the VCSE Assembly, the launch of a mental health safety plan resource, and the procurement of mental wellbeing and suicide prevention training, such as Connect 5, Youth Connect 5, and ASIST. The update also presented suicide data for Devon, indicating a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 population, which is statistically higher than the England rate.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Implementation

The board was asked to approve an approach for implementing the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2026-2035. This strategy is built on four core principles: Caring for people and places, Opportunities for all, Roots for Life, and Engage and Empower. It focuses on four priority themes: Mental Health and Wellbeing, Start Well, Live Well (for children), Housing, and Rural Areas and Access to Services. The implementation plan involves mapping the partnership landscape, defining action plans, and developing a scorecard to monitor progress. Board members were invited to volunteer as champions for the relevant priority themes.

South West Smoke-Free Charter

The board was requested to endorse and sign the South West Smoke-Free Charter, demonstrating a commitment to tobacco control. The report highlighted that tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death, with significant costs to Devon. The Smokefree Devon Alliance has been working to reduce smoking prevalence, with progress including increased demand for specialist support, expansion of services in Torbay, and the mobilisation of the Smokefree Generation programme. The Charter aligns with the South West Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation Strategic Framework and the WHO MPOWER principles. Signing the Charter would demonstrate leadership and support the ambition for a smoke-free South West by 2030.

Better Care Fund Update

An update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025/26 was presented, detailing progress on emergency admissions, discharge delays, and residential admissions. The report indicated that Devon was on track to meet targets for reducing emergency admissions and discharge delays. However, the target for long-term admissions to care homes was not being met, with ongoing work to address this. The BCF budget for 2025/26 was revised to over £134 million, with significant allocations for assistive technologies, discharge support, intermediate care, and support for carers.

NHS Devon Update

An update from NHS Devon was also scheduled, though the specific details of this verbal presentation were not included in the provided documents.

Other Matters

The board was also set to review the Council's Scrutiny Work Programme and agree its Forward Plan for future meetings.