The Leicester City Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 4 June 2026 to discuss a range of public health initiatives and strategic updates. Key topics included plans for hypertension prevention and case-finding, strategies for creating mental health-friendly places, and updates on the Better Care Fund and other ongoing programmes.

Hypertension Prevention and Case-Finding

The Board was scheduled to receive a report summarising public health work aimed at addressing undiagnosed hypertension among adults in Leicester City. This initiative is a priority for the Board and aligns with national programmes. The report was expected to detail current activities, including the NHS Health Check service and community pharmacy case-finding, as well as local partnership work undertaken by the Leicester Prevention and Health Inequalities Steering Group. This group has been using data to identify high-risk areas and populations, developing standard operating procedures for blood pressure checks, and exploring targeted outreach methods. The report was also anticipated to outline future plans, such as a blood pressure monitor loan scheme for library members and alignment with national campaigns like 'Know Your Numbers'. The report recommended that Board members support and endorse these collaborative approaches and identify appropriate personnel to contribute to the delivery of this work.

Mental Health Friendly Places and Men's Mental Health

A report was scheduled to provide information on suicide rates within the city and the prevention response, with a particular focus on support for men, who are disproportionately affected by suicide. The report was expected to detail the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Suicide Prevention Strategy's priorities, including targeted support for high-risk groups, the development of Mental Health Friendly Places (MHFPs) and Clubs, data-driven interventions, and the 'Start a Conversation' campaign. The expansion of MHFPs to small businesses, such as barbers and cafés, was to be discussed, with a move towards an e-learning format for training. The report was also to highlight initiatives supporting men's mental health, including 'My Space My Game' sessions at local football clubs, the 'Together for Men' conference, a co-produced men's support booklet, and webinars on lifestyle and goal setting. The Board was invited to note that death by suicide reflects wider inequalities, that men are disproportionately affected, and that initiatives linked to MHFPs are being developed across the city.

Better Care Fund and Leicester Integrated Health & Care Group Update

An update from the Leicester Integrated Health & Care Group was scheduled, which supports the Health & Wellbeing Board in providing leadership and assurance. The group has been discussing changes in the health landscape, including the clustering of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with Northampton and Northamptonshire, and the associated management of change process. The group has also been developing the neighbourhood model for health and care, with plans for neighbourhood boards. Updates on the Health & Wellbeing Board Delivery Plan, including child immunisations and healthy weight initiatives, were to be provided. The report was expected to detail the management of scheme lines and business cases for the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2026/27, which was recommended for the Board's approval.

Leading Better Lives Verbal Update

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning was scheduled to provide a verbal update on the 'Leading Better Lives' programme, which aims to develop an early action approach for Leicester.

Integrated Care Board (ICB) Verbal Update

The Integrated Care Board was expected to provide a verbal update on its current position.

Neighbourhoods Verbal Update

The Integrated Care Board was also scheduled to provide a verbal update on the Neighbourhoods Strategy.

Membership and Terms of Reference

The Board was asked to note the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2026/27, as set out in Appendix A of the agenda pack, and to note the Terms of Reference for the Board for the same period, as detailed in Appendix B.

Dates of the Board

Board members were asked to note the scheduled meeting dates for the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2026-27.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Board, held on 5 March 2026, were attached for confirmation as a correct record.