The Health and Wellbeing Board of Manchester Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss a range of critical public health initiatives. The Board received updates on the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's strategy, population health insights, and progress on initiatives for people experiencing sight loss and the provision of community defibrillators. The Board was also asked to approve the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026/27 and the 2025/26 Better Care Fund End of Year financial outturn. A review of the Accessible Information Standard in GP practices was presented.

Manchester Partnership Board Feedback

Leigh Latham, Interim Deputy Place Based Lead, provided an update on the work progressing under the Manchester Partnership Board's priorities. He highlighted the establishment of a joint leadership group that meets regularly, comprising partners from across the system. This group has focused on developing a neighbourhood approach across the city and a neighbourhood plan for Manchester, aligning with the recently issued Neighbourhood Health Framework. Discussions have also covered dementia care redesign, the health and care transformation programme for children and young people, and optimising the embedding of the patient and public voice in governance. Furthermore, the group considered strategic estate development and the mental health transformation priority, focusing on preventative and proactive care. Latham also updated the board on the ongoing reforms for the Integrated Care Board (ICB), noting that approximately 300 staff had left the organisation through voluntary redundancy. He outlined the development of a new operating model for NHS Greater Manchester, clarifying the roles of the ICB as a strategic commissioner and place partnerships as leaders for local delivery. A suite of documents is being developed to set out expectations for place partnerships, including a clear outcome framework and the role of the place fund.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Strategy Update

Tom Rafferty, Acting Chief Strategy Officer at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), presented an update on the refresh of the MFT strategy. The original strategy, launched in 2024, focused on working with partners to improve the health and well-being of communities, with an increased emphasis on prevention and supporting people to live longer, healthier lives. The refresh, brought forward due to the launch of the 10-year Health Plan and the Greater Manchester Strategy, aimed to ensure alignment with national and regional direction. Key changes included strengthening the focus on delivering more care in the community and at a neighbourhood level, and capitalising on digital innovation. Four critical enablers were also added: equity, digital innovation, improvement, and partnership. Councillor Thomas Frederick Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, praised MFT's continued outreach and partnership working, highlighting the trust's commitment to the local community. Trevor Rees, Interim Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, shared positive news regarding MFT's performance oversight framework, moving from a Level 3 to a Level 1, making it the most improved trust in the country. Dr Doug Jeffrey, a GP at Barlow Medical Center and Chair of the South Manchester GP Federation, questioned the strategy's commitment to shifting funding, not just activity, to community general practices. Rafferty responded that while not explicitly stated in the strategy, the resource would follow the activity, with examples of hospital services transitioning to primary care.

Manchester Best Start in Life Plan

Nasreen King, Assistant Director for Early Intervention and Prevention Services, and Kelly Ayers, Strategic Lead for Early Years, presented the Manchester Best Start in Life Plan. The plan outlines the council's strategy to achieve the government's target of 75% of children achieving a good level of development by 2028. Manchester's current GLD rate is 60.3%, with a target of 68.6% over the next three years. The plan focuses on increasing early years attainment and school readiness from conception, expanding access to early education and childcare, and delivering inclusive services rooted in neighbourhoods through the scaled-up Family Hub programme. Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, highlighted the expansion of Sure Start centres into Family Hubs, extending support up to age 25. She emphasised the plan's focus on a whole-family approach and its potential to address deprivation and child poverty. Cordelle Ofori, Director of Public Health, noted that the GLD target is ambitious but achievable, citing the success of the Flying Start programme in improving uptake of developmental reviews. Amanda Smith, Chair of Healthwatch Manchester, welcomed the report, stressing the importance of a whole-system approach to early support.

Meeting the Standard? A Review of the Accessible Information Standard in GP Practice

Neil Walbran, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Manchester, and Thomas Carr, Information and Communications Manager, presented findings from a review of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) compliance in Manchester GP practices. The AIS, a statutory standard since June 2025, ensures patients with communication needs receive accessible information and support. The review visited 84 GP practices, finding that while understanding of the AIS was generally high, compliance was lower. The average score for practices increased from 11 to 13 after Healthwatch's intervention. However, only 18% of practices achieved a pass mark for compliance. Recommendations included continuous improvement, clear promotion of advocacy services, and training led by people with lived experience.

Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27 & Place Grant

Leigh Latham, Interim Deputy Place Based Lead, presented the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2026/27. The BCF aims to support integrated and preventative care, particularly for those with complex health and social care needs, helping them stay independent for longer. The plan, agreed by NHS GM Manchester locality, Manchester City Council (MCC), and MFT, includes finances and activity related to hospital discharge, community programmes, and bedded care. The plan aims to improve reablement outcomes, reduce long-term residential care demand, and increase focus on integration, aligning with neighbourhood health services and a shift towards care closer to home. The Board was asked to approve the BCF plan for 2026/27 and the 2025/26 BCF End of Year financial outturn.

Population Health and Insight Profile

Cordelle Ofori, Director of Public Health, presented the Population Health and Insight Profile, summarising the health and wellbeing needs of Manchester residents based on recent data. The report highlighted persistent health inequalities, with Manchester ranking as the 4th most deprived local authority in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025. Life expectancy in Manchester remains lower than the national average, with significant inequalities within the city. The report also detailed trends in maternity and neonatal care, childhood obesity, and oral health, alongside behavioural risk factors such as smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Mortality rates from avoidable causes and suicide remain higher than the England average. The report also presented findings from local insight work, including reviews of the Community Health Equity Manchester (CHEM) model and the Manchester Patient and Public Advisory Group (PPAG), and outlined the development of the Inclusive City programme for disabled people.

People Experiencing Sight Loss JSNA - Progress Update

Peter Tomlin, Executive Director of Adult Social Services, provided an update on the progress made in response to the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) on People Experiencing Sight Loss. The JSNA identified opportunities for action across several priority areas, including addressing barriers faced by people with sight loss, sustainable funding for services, improving service pathways, and reducing social isolation. The Living Well at Home commissioning team is developing a co-produced strategy to address these opportunities, with ongoing work including grant funding for digital equipment assessments, supporting the Manchester Disability Collaborative, and surveying homecare providers on their preparedness to care for visually impaired individuals.

Defibrillators Update: Need, Provision and Funding Opportunities

Dr Cordelle Ofori, Director of Public Health, presented an update on community defibrillator provision across Manchester. The Manchester model, focused on system leadership, data-led targeting, neighbourhood delivery, and community ownership, has expanded provision, but variations in access persist. The next phase will focus on targeted action in areas of greatest need, increasing registration on The Circuit (the national defibrillator database), and improving 24-hour access to devices. The report recommended continued support for equitable access, targeted action in high-need neighbourhoods, and increased registration and accessibility of defibrillators.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Strategy Update

Tom Rafferty, Acting Chief Strategy Officer at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), presented an update on the refresh of the MFT strategy. The original strategy, launched in 2024, focused on working with partners to improve the health and well-being of communities, with an increased emphasis on prevention and supporting people to live longer, healthier lives. The refresh, brought forward due to the launch of the 10-year Health Plan and the Greater Manchester Strategy, aimed to ensure alignment with national and regional direction. Key changes included strengthening the focus on delivering more care in the community and at a neighbourhood level, and capitalising on digital innovation. Four critical enablers were also added: equity, digital innovation, improvement, and partnership. Councillor Thomas Frederick Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, praised MFT's continued outreach and partnership working, highlighting the trust's commitment to the local community. Trevor Rees, Interim Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, shared positive news regarding MFT's performance oversight framework, moving from a Level 3 to a Level 1, making it the most improved trust in the country. Dr Doug Jeffrey, a GP at Barlow Medical Center and Chair of the South Manchester GP Federation, questioned the strategy's commitment to shifting funding, not just activity, to community general practices. Rafferty responded that while not explicitly stated in the strategy, the resource would follow the activity, with examples of hospital services transitioning to primary care.