A joint meeting of the Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee and the Gloucestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the work of the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board, an overview of the NHS Gloucestershire 5 Year Strategic Plan, and a new healthier weight care pathway for adults. The committees were also scheduled to receive an update on frailty prevention and management.

Overview of the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board

The meeting was scheduled to receive an overview of the role and work of the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board. This included an update on the Gloucestershire Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a 10-year plan for 2020-2030 that sets out seven strategic priorities: best start in life, adverse childhood experiences, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, mental wellbeing, health and housing, and loneliness and social isolation. The report highlighted the Board's statutory duties, including publishing a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and a Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, as well as overseeing the development of the local Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and approving the Better Care Fund plan. The Board's approach to monitoring the strategy and measuring impact was also to be discussed, alongside the ongoing development of the JSNA and the Board's role in developing Neighbourhood Health Plans. The relationship between the Board and the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Partnership was also on the agenda.

NHS Gloucestershire 5 Year Strategic Plan: Wellbeing, Prevention and Maintaining Health Independence

A presentation was scheduled to focus on the 'Wellbeing, Prevention and Maintaining Health Independence' theme of the NHS Gloucestershire 5 Year Strategic Plan. This plan is structured around three key themes: Neighbourhood, Health and Care; Online, Digital and Technology; and Wellbeing, Prevention, and Maintaining Health Independence. The discussion was expected to cover how NHS Gloucestershire is working to promote wellbeing and help residents maintain their health independence.

Gloucestershire Adults Healthier Weight Care Pathway

The committees were scheduled to receive an overview of a new healthier weight care pathway for adults in Gloucestershire. This proposed model, named 'WeightWise', aims to address the rising demand for weight management services and the need for a more integrated, person-centred approach. The report highlighted that obesity is a significant health inequalities issue, disproportionately affecting those from less affluent neighbourhoods, and that a whole-system response is required. The new model is designed to provide place-based delivery through integrated community hubs, with a single point of access, early personalised conversations, and wrap-around lifestyle and behaviour change support. It also aims to integrate medical, psychological, and community-based interventions, with earlier access for those with severe obesity and a focus on anti-stigma practice and equity in access, experience, and outcomes. The implementation plan, including pilot sites and monitoring, as well as potential risks and challenges, were also to be discussed.

Frailty

An update was scheduled on the work being undertaken to address frailty in Gloucestershire, presented by representatives from NHS Gloucestershire ICB and Gloucestershire County Council's Adult Social Care department. The discussion was expected to cover the Frailty Attuned NHS Services model, which focuses on early identification, comprehensive assessment, and personalised care to help older people with frailty remain independent for as long as possible. The report noted that frailty is a stronger determinant of healthcare needs than age, and that increasing longevity means more people are living longer with complex conditions. Gloucestershire's Adult Social Care Older Person's Prevention Strategy, which aims to shift from reactive care to a proactive, prevention-focused model, was also to be discussed. This strategy focuses on three levels of prevention: primary (promoting wellbeing and independence), secondary (early identification of emerging frailty and targeted support), and tertiary (reablement and rehabilitation to support established frailty).

Scrutiny Review Update

A verbal update was scheduled regarding the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) review of the scrutiny arrangements at Gloucestershire County Council.

Closing Comments from the Chairs

The meeting was scheduled to conclude with closing comments from the Chairs of both committees, Cllr Rebecca Trimnell and Cllr Iain Dobie, reflecting on the work of the past year and the focus for the future.