The Hounslow Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 13 January 2026, was set to cover a range of topics focused on the health and wellbeing of the borough's residents. Key discussions were planned around updates on integrated care initiatives, the refresh of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and progress reports on various health and wellbeing programmes. Additionally, the board was scheduled to review the Better Care Fund performance and receive an update from Healthwatch Hounslow.

Hounslow Care Together Update

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the Hounslow Care Together initiative, a model of care that began in September 2025. This approach aims to provide joined-up, proactive, and personalised care closer to home, with the goal of reducing reliance on hospitals, preventing crises, and enabling residents to live well at home for longer. The model involves generalist multi-disciplinary teams working with groups of GP practices, bringing together colleagues from West London NHS Trust, Hounslow Council, primary care, the voluntary sector, West Middlesex Hospital, and local pharmacists. The report was expected to detail the progress of this initiative, which is being tested at two locations within the borough.

Refresh of Hounslow's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

A significant item on the agenda was the refresh of Hounslow's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which is due for publication in late 2026. The board was to be updated on the progress of this work, including the engagement undertaken with key stakeholders and residents. The strategy aims to set out priorities for improving the health and wellbeing of the local population and addressing identified needs, including health inequalities, informed by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The report was expected to outline the work completed so far and the final phases required for its completion.

Better Care Fund Update

An update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) was scheduled, focusing on the 2025/26 Quarter 2 reporting template submission to NHS England. The BCF is a national vehicle for integrating health and social care, involving pooled budgets governed by an agreement under section 75 of the NHS Act 2006. The board was to review the Q2 metric performance against plans and provide a high-level overview of the Q2 spend against plans. This update is crucial for ensuring compliance with national conditions and the strategic direction of the BCF.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress Report – Quarter Two

A progress report on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Quarter Two of 2025/26 was to be presented. This report outlines performance and provides updates on projects aligned with the strategy's priorities. The new governance framework, agreed in March 2024, involves Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) who are responsible for delivering the strategy's priorities and reporting on progress quarterly. The report was expected to focus on exception reporting, highlighting examples of positive progress, delays in delivery, and any changes in national or local policies affecting delivery.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Update

The board was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). JSNAs are a statutory requirement under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, and Health and Wellbeing Boards are mandated to produce them to inform the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The JSNA process involves local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) assessing needs and developing strategies that reflect the unique circumstances of their communities. The update was expected to provide insights into the borough's demographic profile and key needs identified.

Healthwatch Update: Quarter Two Patient Experience Report

Peter Goulding from Healthwatch Hounslow was scheduled to provide an update on the Quarter Two Patient Experience Report. Healthwatch Hounslow acts as the local health and social care champion, gathering feedback from residents on their experiences with health and care services. This report aims to highlight what is working well and what could be improved, sharing these findings with decision-makers. The update was expected to cover feedback on GP practices, hospital services, dental services, and other community services, based on reviews collected between July and September 2025.