The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to convene on Monday, 15 June 2026, to discuss a range of important public health and social care matters. Key topics on the agenda include updates on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Physical Activity Framework, and the Better Care Fund, alongside a consultation on the Carers Strategy and a review of the Health Protection Annual Report.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress Update

The Board will receive an update on the progress of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) 2022-32, specifically focusing on the Staying Healthy, Safe and Well priority. This update will detail progress made against commitments within the strategy, which aims to improve the health, wellbeing, and equity outcomes for residents of Leicestershire. The strategy adopts a life course approach, covering areas such as Best Start for Life, Staying Healthy, Safe and Well, Living and Supported Well, and Dying Well. The report will also address cross-cutting priorities, including reducing health inequalities and health protection and emergency preparedness. The Staying Healthy, Safe and Well priority is divided into two areas: Building Strong Foundations (encompassing health in all policies, healthy placemaking, healthy workplaces, healthy homes, and healthy and safe communities) and Enabling Healthy Choices & Behaviours (covering healthy choices and behaviours, and healthy weight, food, and nutrition). The report will highlight progress, challenges, and next steps for the coming year, with a particular focus on building on work in healthy placemaking and healthy weight, food, and nutrition.

Physical Activity Framework Review

An update will be provided on the Active Together Partnership Physical Activity Framework (2022-2031). The Board will be informed about the approach to reviewing and refreshing this framework to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness for the remainder of its duration. Physical activity is recognised as a key determinant of health and wellbeing, playing a crucial role in preventing long-term conditions and reducing health inequalities. The framework aims to increase physical activity levels across Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland by focusing on People, Place, and Partnerships. The review will involve consultation with partners and residents to ensure the framework remains fit for purpose and addresses current needs and priorities. The Board will be asked to note the approach to the review, support the framework, and champion physical activity within their respective organisations.

Better Care Fund Performance and Planning

Two reports concerning the Better Care Fund (BCF) will be presented. The first will provide the year-end performance reporting for the BCF programme for 2025-26, detailing progress against outcome metrics and the transformation of health and care pathways. The second report will outline the Leicestershire Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27, detailing the proposed expenditure, goals for national metrics, and assurance statements regarding governance and funding conditions. The BCF programme aims to integrate health and social care services to support person-centred care, sustainability, and better outcomes for individuals and carers. The reports will cover income, expenditure, and performance against key metrics such as emergency admissions, discharge delays, and admissions to residential care. The national conditions for the BCF, focusing on integrated and preventative care, expenditure and grant conditions, and effective governance, will be addressed.

Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) Offer

The Board will receive an overview of the work undertaken by Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) in supporting the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The report will demonstrate the VCSE sector's contribution to prevention, early intervention, reducing health inequalities, community resilience, and neighbourhood models of care. VAL acts as a bridge between communities and statutory organisations, ensuring community voices shape health and care planning. The report will highlight VAL's role in strengthening VCSE infrastructure, supporting collaboration, and enabling community organisations to contribute effectively to local health and wellbeing priorities. It will also detail the social and economic value generated through VAL's support, including funding secured, volunteering activity, and employability outcomes.

Improving Hospital Discharge

Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire will present findings from their work on hospital discharge, based on patient and carer experiences and Enter & View visits to community hospital discharge wards. The report will highlight what is working well and areas for improvement, with recommendations to support ongoing discharge and flow improvement across the system. Key findings include that while a majority of respondents felt involved in discharge discussions and ready to go home, a significant number did not receive clear information about follow-up care, medication, or support after leaving hospital. Carer involvement and awareness of their right to an assessment were also identified as areas needing attention. Healthwatch will continue to gather feedback to monitor progress.

Draft Leicestershire Carers Strategy

A draft Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030 will be presented for comment. This strategy aims to recognise, value, and support carers in Leicestershire, building on previous joint strategies and reflecting national policy context such as the Care Act 2014 and the Carers Leave Act 2023. The development of the strategy has involved extensive engagement with over 300 adult carers and young carers, as well as professionals. Key themes identified include the need for recognition and valuing of carers, improved access to respite, tackling loneliness and isolation, clearer information and advice, easier access to services outside working hours, support for carers groups, addressing the cost of support, and improving access to health services. The draft strategy outlines three priorities: recognising and valuing carers, providing accurate information and advice, and supporting carers' wellbeing and access to services.

Leicestershire Health Protection Annual Report

The Director of Public Health will present the Leicestershire Health Protection Annual Report for 2025. This report provides an overview of health protection activity, including system performance, significant incidents, emerging risks, and areas requiring ongoing assurance. It covers key domains such as infectious disease control (including COVID-19, measles, mpox, and pertussis), immunisation programmes, screening programmes, sexual health, tuberculosis (TB), healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), emergency planning, and air quality. The report highlights successes, such as improved flu vaccine uptake, and challenges, including rising gonorrhoea rates and TB concerns. It also outlines preparedness for emerging threats and system changes, with priorities for 2026 focusing on maintaining and improving immunisation programmes, strengthening HIV testing, targeted TB approaches, and implementing the air quality action plan.