The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Monday 7 September 2026 to discuss progress on the Joint Carers Strategy and the Sutton Health and Care Plan. Key discussions included an update on the progress made in delivering the Joint Carers Strategy and proposed changes for the coming year, as well as an update on the Sutton Health and Care Plan.

Progress in the Delivery of the Joint Carers Strategy

The Board received an update on the progress of the Joint Carers Strategy 2025-30. Significant advancements have been made over the past year, with the establishment of the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) being a key achievement. This board, which includes representation from across the partnership, local charitable, community, and faith sectors, and crucially, carers themselves, oversees the delivery of the strategy.

Progress has been made across the four key priorities of the strategy:

• Priority 1: Carer Identification and Recognition: Sutton Council has partnered with St George's, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals (GESH) on their Carers Charter, strengthening local carer identification and recognition. This collaboration has led to improved identification of carers in hospital settings and increased access to local support through well-being check-in calls post-discharge. Work is also underway to apply the Charter to Integrated Community Services and Virtual Wards.
• Priority 2: Assessing Carer's Needs: This priority is now linked to the Adult Social Care (ASC)/Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan. The percentage of completed Carers Assessments increased significantly from 34.9% in April 2024 to 63.8% in April 2026, exceeding the target. There was also a 100% increase in the take-up of Direct Payments. A carer's workflow has been built into Adult Social Care systems, enabling the automatic development of a carer back-up or contingency plan.
• Priority 3: Supporting Carers: Efforts have been made to address gaps in carer support and explore collaboration with the Sutton Health Alliance, Primary Care Networks (INTs), and the Community Charitable and Faith Sector. A Respite Care Task and Finish group has been formed to gather feedback on respite care options. Several pilot programmes directly supporting carers have been awarded funding, including the Wallington Community Wellbeing Charity's Thursday Club, Advice Support Knowledge Information (ASKI), and Sutton Carers Centre's CARES Project.
• Priority 4: Young Carers: Collaborative work with Young Carers has led to co-production activities with Young Carer Ambassadors to inform the strategy's priorities. A young carer survey of local schools was completed to understand their needs and impact on education. An online, young carer self-referral system has been added to Sutton Council's website. Two Young Carers have joined the Carers Partnership Board. The Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which introduces statutory responsibilities for schools to identify and support young carers, is also being integrated into local plans.

The Board noted the proposed changes and focus for the coming year, as set out in section 3.35 - 4 of the reports pack, and agreed to bring this item back for a further update in a year's time.

Sutton Health and Care Plan Update

The Board received an update on the delivery of the Sutton Health and Care Plan for 2026/27. The plan, developed by the Sutton Alliance, sets out how system partners will work together to improve the health and wellbeing of Sutton residents. Key areas of progress include:

• Neighbourhood Working: Sutton's four Integrated Neighbourhood Teams are implementing a model that brings healthcare and community services together around residents, focusing on people living with frailty, care home residents, housebound individuals, and those approaching the end of life. Neighbourhood Leadership Groups are being formalised to provide clearer local accountability.
• Frailty: A proactive care approach is in place, with approximately 1,300 residents currently having a proactive care plan. Early evidence suggests these plans have reduced unplanned care, including A&E attendances and emergency admissions, by around 50%.
• GP Access: The system aims to achieve 92% same-day access for those with an urgent clinical need, with 94% of residents currently able to access a routine GP appointment within two weeks. Extended access hubs provide additional appointments in the evenings and weekends.
• Hospital to Home: This programme aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, support timely discharge, and help residents recover and remain independent at home. Developments include the two-hour Urgent Community Response service, virtual wards, and the Transfer of Care Hub.
• SEND: The immediate focus is on strengthening joint risk management between education, health, and care partners, with a specific emphasis on improving dysphagia support for children and young people.
• Healthy Hearts: Community-based approaches are being expanded, including blood pressure checks in libraries and local venues, alongside health checks and lifestyle support. A neighbourhood-based Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM) multidisciplinary team is also being developed.

The Board noted the update on key elements of progress against the Sutton Health and Care Plan.

Healthwatch Report

Pete Flavell from Healthwatch Sutton provided a brief mention of the Healthwatch Report, which has recently been published and received 12,000 local responses. It was proposed that this report be brought back to the next meeting on 4 November for a formal partner response. The Board was informed that Healthwatch is a statutory body and that its future is currently uncertain due to ongoing legislative changes.