The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Friday 16 January 2026 was set to cover a range of important topics, including updates on changes within the NHS Integrated Care Board, the extension of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the consultation on a draft SEND Strategy. Discussions were also planned regarding the Hertfordshire and West Essex Winter Plan, progress reports from various sub-boards, and the governance of neighbourhood delivery.

Update on Changes within the NHS Integrated Care Board

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the ongoing organisational changes within the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). This update was expected to supplement a more detailed verbal report at the meeting. The report noted that ICBs were required to reduce running costs by 50% by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, with a new Model ICB Blueprint published in May 2025 outlining the functions ICBs should perform within this reduced cost envelope. It was indicated that Hertfordshire would join the Central East cluster, which includes Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, with West Essex joining the Greater Essex cluster. This new ICB, covering a population of approximately 3.5 million people, was expected to formally merge from 1 April 2026. The report recommended that Board members note these ongoing reorganisation plans.

Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy Extension 2026–2028

The Board was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to extend the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022–26, which was due to lapse in March 2026, for a further 12 months. This extension would allow sufficient time for meaningful engagement during ongoing organisational changes across the NHS and local government, and for the development and agreement of a refreshed strategy in line with statutory requirements and the Board's constitution. The rationale for the extension included ensuring continuity of strategic priorities, allowing time for stakeholder engagement, enabling alignment with system changes, and providing space for integration with the latest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) findings and statutory guidance. The report recommended approving the extension until March 2027 and noting that work to develop the refreshed strategy would commence during this period.

Draft SEND Strategy 2026–2029 Consultation

A report was presented detailing the draft SEND Strategy 2026–2029 and outlining plans for its public consultation. Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) share joint responsibility for planning and commissioning services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Hertfordshire, working collaboratively through the Hertfordshire SEND Local Area Partnership. The report highlighted that the current SEND Strategy, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, was launched in 2022. A SEND Inspection in July 2023 found widespread and systemic failings, leading to a Priority Action & Improvement Plan. Subsequent monitoring inspections in October 2025 found that the partnership had taken effective action but acknowledged areas for further development. The draft SEND Strategy has been developed following extensive engagement, including a SEND Summit in September 2025, and aims to address key challenges identified by young people, parent carers, schools, and staff. The report recommended that the Board note and comment on the draft SEND Strategy.

Hertfordshire and West Essex (HWE) Winter Plan 2025/26 Update

This report was scheduled to outline the current winter pressures affecting the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System and explain how the coordinated framework within the HWE Winter Plan for 2025/26 is mitigating these challenges. The plan was noted to strengthen system resilience by prioritising children and young people, mental health crisis response, and frailty and end-of-life care. Revised governance arrangements were reported to have improved escalation protocols and decision-making. Predictive analysis had anticipated an 8.3% rise in NHS 111 demand and higher paediatric Emergency Department attendances, with early data confirming overall urgent and emergency care activity was busier than the previous year, although most performance metrics had improved. The report highlighted efforts to ease acute bed pressures through improved ambulance handover times, reduced non-elective stays, and increased virtual ward capacity. Despite higher overall urgent care activity and flu prevalence, particularly among children, performance in most metrics was reported as better than the previous year, supported by vaccination campaigns and outreach to vulnerable groups. Paediatric demand remained a key pressure point, with Critical Care Surge plans agreed if needed. Additional investment was noted in reablement, care home and home care provider engagement, prevention of admission, hospital discharge equipment, voluntary sector support, and virtual hospital capacity. The Board was asked to review the report and provide feedback on system winter pressures and mitigation actions.

Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Boards – Progress Highlight Reports October to December 2025

The Board was invited to review and provide feedback on the progress highlight reports from its five sub-boards for the period October to December 2025. These reports summarise the key activities, developments, and achievements of the Hertfordshire Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership; the Drug and Alcohol Joint Strategic Board; the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Board; the Better Care Fund Board; and the Hertfordshire Children and Young People's Commissioning Oversight Board. The report recommended that Board members note the progress of each sub-board, comment on and approve the highlight reports, and advise if a more detailed review of any specific area of work was desired. Additionally, the Board was asked to note the proposed new approach of the CYP Sub-Board and agree its involvement in developing the new HWB Strategy.

Neighbourhood Delivery Governance

This report provided an opportunity for the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) to have an initial discussion about its potential role in Neighbourhood Delivery governance in Hertfordshire. It outlined the statutory role of HWBs under the Health and Care Act 2022, including oversight of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs), Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategies (JLHWSs), Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs), and the Better Care Fund (BCF). The report explained how the HWB's leadership aligns with national policy priorities in the 10 Year Health Plan – Fit for the Future and the ICB Strategic Commissioning Framework, positioning the HWB as a key forum for place leadership and integrated planning. The report highlighted the potential benefits of HWB oversight for both the ICB and local communities, ensuring prevention-focused, co-designed services that reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes. The Board members were asked to discuss and consider their role in the governance arrangements for Neighbourhood Delivery and to agree that officers develop specific options and proposals for consideration.