The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, to discuss public health support for the NHS, neighbourhood health initiatives, and the Better Care Fund. Key decisions included the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between Public Health and the Integrated Care Board, and the sign-off of Better Care Fund reporting templates.

Public Health Support to NHS, Strategic Commissioning and Neighbourhood Health

Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health, presented a report outlining how Worcestershire Public Health is supporting new NHS developments, particularly focusing on the strategic commissioning functions of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and the implementation of Neighbourhood Health. Strategic commissioning is described as a continuous, evidence-based cycle of understanding population needs, developing long-term strategy, allocating resources, and evaluating impact to improve population health and equity. Neighbourhood Health is presented as a new initiative that places communities at the centre of prevention, care, and recovery, recognising that factors outside of acute healthcare services significantly shape health outcomes.

Public Health teams are seen as uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the NHS, local government, and community partners, offering support in three key domains: insight and intelligence, health improvement services, and community engagement and development. The report highlighted existing work in Worcestershire, such as the development of neighbourhood profiles combining health, housing, and socioeconomic data, and the provision of online referral resources for health improvement services.

The Board was asked to note the report and feedback on the support outlined, and to agree that a Memorandum of Understanding between Public Health and the Integrated Care Board be developed to guide future provision of support on Strategic Commissioning and Neighbourhood Health.

Neighbourhood Health in Worcestershire

Ellen Rule, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, and Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB, presented an update on the progress of Neighbourhood Health in Worcestershire. This initiative is a response to the national 10 Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, which mandates the development of neighbourhood health plans led by Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Since the previous update in November 2025, discussions have been held with partners to shape Worcestershire's approach. Work has commenced on an Interim Strategic Neighbourhood Health Plan, which will outline next steps for 2025/26 and 2026/27. The report noted the definition of 10 emerging Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, aligned with Primary Care Network footprints, and the identification of local priorities based on neighbourhood needs. The Public Health team has been instrumental in supporting neighbourhoods with this work, particularly in preventing avoidable emergency admissions.

The Board was asked to note the contents of the report for assurance.

Better Care Fund Update

Mark Fitton, Strategic Director of Adults and Communities, presented an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2025/26, including budget monitoring and planning requirements for 2026/27. The BCF is a key vehicle for driving health and social care integration, requiring joint plans owned by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Worcestershire continues to meet all four national BCF conditions, demonstrating joint delivery of agreed plans and compliance with funding, governance, and oversight arrangements. While progress is on track for emergency admissions and hospital discharge timeliness, admissions to long-term residential and nursing care for older people remain off track, attributed to rising demand and pressures across various care pathways.

The Board was asked to:

• Sign off the Better Care Fund Quarter 2 Reporting Template, submitted to NHS England on 11 November 2025.
• Sign off the Better Care Fund Quarter 3 Reporting Template, submitted to NHS England on 30 January 2026.
• Note the Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 Better Care Fund Budget monitoring position.
• Note the publication of the national BCF 2026/27 Planning Framework and the proposed approach for developing Worcestershire's BCF 2026/27 Plan.

The report also detailed an additional £50 million in funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for 2025-2026, with Worcestershire receiving an allocation of £537,834. Financial monitoring indicated a projected breakeven position for the year, with an anticipated overspend in the Pathway 1 hospital discharge service being managed by offsetting it against a forecast underspend in another pathway.

Looking ahead to 2026/27, the BCF is set to undergo significant reform, aligning with the 10-Year Health Plan's focus on integrated, neighbourhood-level delivery. Mandatory submissions for the 2026/27 plan are due by 19 May 2026.

Future Meeting Dates

The Board noted the scheduled dates for future public and private development meetings for 2026/27.