The Kent Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss the 2026 Kent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Summary Report, alongside updates on the Public Health Service Transformation Programme and the NHS 10 Year Plan. The meeting's agenda also included a verbal update from the Director of Public Health and a review of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025-2028.

2026 Kent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Summary Report

The board was scheduled to consider the 2026 Kent Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Summary Report. The JSNA is a key document used to understand the health needs of the population in Kent. This report would have provided a summary of the findings from the assessment, which is crucial for informing public health strategies and commissioning decisions.

Director of Public Health Verbal Update

The Director of Public Health was scheduled to provide a verbal update on various public health initiatives and developments within Kent. This update would have covered ongoing campaigns, vaccination programmes, and preventative health measures. Previous updates from the Director of Public Health have included information on suicide prevention campaigns, such as the Baton of Hope, and the rollout of vaccination programmes for flu, RSV, and whooping cough.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028

The board was scheduled to review the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for the period 2025-2028. This statutory document assesses the current and future need for pharmaceutical services in Kent, considering the health needs of the population and how these can be met by services commissioned by NHS England and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The PNA informs commissioning decisions and market entry for pharmaceutical services. The report pack indicated that, at the time of its preparation, no gaps had been identified in the provision of pharmaceutical services across Kent, although discussions were scheduled to address member concerns regarding pharmacy closures and increased waiting times.

Public Health Service Transformation Programme Update

An update was scheduled on the Public Health Service Transformation Programme (PHSTP). This programme, which began in summer 2023, aims to improve services funded by the Public Health Grant by targeting resources to those most in need, addressing health inequalities, and ensuring best value. The programme covers a range of mandated and statutory services, from early years health visiting to older people's exercise. The report pack detailed that the programme had reached its implementation stage, involving procurement, transition to new models, and communication of changes. Discussions were expected to cover areas such as the Children and Young People's Emotional Well-being Service, smoking cessation services, and support for neurodiverse children.

Update from the Integrated Care Board on the NHS 10 Year Plan

The board was scheduled to receive an update from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding the NHS 10 Year Plan. This plan focuses on three key shifts: moving NHS service delivery from hospitals into the community, shifting focus from treatment to prevention, and transitioning from analogue to digital. The update was expected to cover how the plan would be implemented across Kent and Medway, with an emphasis on neighbourhood health, bringing together various health and council services to deliver integrated care locally. Discussions were anticipated to address challenges such as local government reorganisation, the role of cottage hospitals, workforce planning, and the effectiveness of discharge planning.

The meeting was also scheduled to include standard procedural items such as the Chairman's Welcome, Apologies and Substitutes, and Declarations of Interest. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 September 2025 were also listed for confirmation.