The Health and Wellbeing Board of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 22 June 2026 to discuss the Better Care Fund, the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, and the evolving landscape of health and social care. Key decisions included the approval of the Better Care Fund Quarter 4 report and the endorsement of a review into the Board's future direction.

Better Care Fund Quarter 4 Report

The Board approved the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 4 report for the financial year 2025-2026. Sarah Bright, Director of Commissioning, Transformation and Partnerships, presented the report, highlighting that while two out of three key metrics – emergency admissions and residential admissions – were on track, the discharge target was not being met. She explained that factors such as equipment provision and discharge processes from acute to community settings contributed to this, but noted improvements had been made through increased social work presence in hospitals and strengthened discharge pathways. Caroline Farrar, Managing Director of the Hammersmith and Fulham Health and Care Partnership, thanked the council for its support in managing the community equipment contract, calling it a significant piece of work and critical bit of system infrastructure. The report also noted an overspend of £528,165, primarily due to issues with the community equipment contract. The plan for 2026-2027 will maintain the existing financial framework and continue collaborative working.

Holiday Activity and Food Programme

The Board received an update on the Summer in the City programme, part of the wider Holiday Activity and Food Programme. Sarah Bright described it as a successful initiative that provides inclusive activities and nutritious meals to children and young people during the summer holidays, with a particular focus on tackling food poverty. The programme is one of the largest of its kind in the country and is open to all children, not just those eligible for free school meals, reflecting the council's commitment to inclusivity. Councillor Natalia Perez, Chair of the Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee, noted a slight decrease in participation among older young people (12+) and inquired about targets for increasing their involvement. Sarah Bright explained that an evaluation of the programme takes place annually and that the council would consider specific actions to engage older age groups. Diane Barham from Healthwatch suggested promoting vaccination information during the programme, which was noted for consideration.

Health Needs of Young People in Contact with Youth Justice

Jacqui McShannon, Executive Director for People's Services, presented a report on the health needs of young people in contact with the Youth Justice Service (YJS). The report highlighted the significant health needs within this cohort, including a high prevalence of mental health issues, speech and language difficulties, and neurodevelopmental needs. The YJS Wellbeing Team, a multi-disciplinary team embedded within the YJS, works to identify and address these needs early. Jacqui McShannon emphasised the importance of early intervention and partnership working to prevent escalation into crisis pathways and reduce reoffending. Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader, noted that the report exposed how many needs reached the YJS after earlier systems had missed them and welcomed input from non-local authority partners on how to go upstream. Caroline Farrar highlighted the number of young people with neurodevelopmental needs and the challenges in early identification and intervention. The Board was asked to endorse emotional wellbeing for children and young people as a shared priority and to consider opportunities for joint commissioning and pooled resources. Jackie McShannon made a cheeky ask for partners to consider providing small pots of funding to boost the wellbeing team due to unmet needs.

Responding to Shifting System Landscapes

Dr Mayada Abu Affan, Interim Director of Public Health, presented a report on how the Health and Wellbeing Board should respond to the evolving health and social care landscape. She explained that the ecosystem has changed significantly since the Board's establishment in 2013, with a greater focus on prevention, early intervention, and neighbourhood-based care. Dr Abu Affan proposed that the Board review its strengths and identify areas for development to become a real system leader with a strong focus on prevention. Sarah Bright and Jacqui McShannon supported this, emphasising the opportunity for the Board to endorse partnership approaches and collectively address the needs of young people and residents. Diane Barham stressed the importance of involving residents and co-production, particularly at a neighbourhood level, to build trust. The Board agreed to embark on a review of its future direction and scope, with a workshop to be scheduled for later in the year.

Work Programme and Future Meetings

The Board discussed its work programme, with Councillor Wesley Harcourt, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, noting that the outcomes of the discussions on the Board's future direction would be incorporated. Jonathan Turner from Western North London ICB provided an update on the ICB's reorganisation, including a reduction in operating costs and a merger with North Central, Central London ICB. He confirmed that a permanent representative from the ICB would be allocated to the Board. The dates for future meetings were noted as 9 September 2026, 9 December 2026, and 16 March 2027.