The Health and Wellbeing Board of the Isles of Scilly Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to discuss plans for the Better Care Fund, feedback from neighbourhood health and wellbeing engagement events, and the implications of the Health Bill 2026. The Board also reviewed the annual assurance report from the DCIoS Health Protection Committee and considered the commitment to remaining part of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, alongside the CIOS SAB Annual Report.

Isles of Scilly: Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27

The Board was scheduled to consider the Isles of Scilly Better Care Fund Plan for 2026/27. This fund requires the NHS and Local Authorities to pool budgets to deliver integrated and preventative care for individuals with complex health and social care needs, aiming to support their independence for longer. The plan focuses on continuing the delivery of objectives, priorities, and schemes for the 'Neighbourhood agenda' that was previously approved for the 2025-26 Plan. The proposed expenditure for 2026-27 totals £397,083, covering areas such as home-based intermediate care, wider local support for prevention and independence, integration capacity, model of care coordination, health aging initiatives, community equipment, disabled facilities grants, and recruitment and retention of the skilled care workforce. The plan also outlines performance metrics related to emergency admissions, discharge delays, and residential care admissions.

Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Interim Engagement Feedback

A report was presented detailing interim engagement feedback from neighbourhood health and wellbeing events held on 19-20 May 2026. Over 150 people attended events across four off-islands, St Mary's, and an online session, with a survey also running until the end of July 2026. The feedback gathered is intended to support the creation of local neighbourhood health and wellbeing plans and refine the engagement approach for the Isles of Scilly. Key themes emerging from the feedback consistently highlighted that local on-island health and care services are trusted and valued. However, access to specialist and emergency care is significantly impacted by travel limitations, appointment planning, and service coordination. Transport was identified as the dominant constraint, with issues of availability, reliability, and affordability. Systems and services were noted as not being designed for island realities, leading to fragmented pathways, poorly coordinated appointments, and delays that result in overnight stays and added costs. Residents also reported a cumulative burden of emotional stress, time off work, and the risk of being placed at the back of waiting lists. Prevention efforts were constrained by the high cost and limited access to exercise, poor availability of healthy food, and barriers to screening and early intervention. Recommendations included improving transport and access, redesigning pathways and services, increasing local provision, addressing the financial burden on residents, and strengthening prevention and wellbeing initiatives.

Discussion Paper on the Health Bill 2026

The Board was scheduled to consider a discussion paper on the Health Bill 2026, which proposes significant changes to the NHS operating model in England. Key proposals include abolishing NHS England, strengthening the role of the Secretary of State, increasing the commissioning responsibilities of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and placing greater emphasis on place-based planning through Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and new Neighbourhood Health Plans. The paper highlighted the importance of ensuring that local needs, prevention priorities, and community voices continue to influence planning and resource allocation within wider system arrangements. For the Isles of Scilly, the relevance of the Bill lies in how future planning and commissioning arrangements will continue to reflect the distinct needs of a small, remote island community. The Board was asked to note the potential significance of these reforms and support further joint work with partners to assess local implications.

DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report 2024-2025

The Board was to receive the DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report for 2024-2025. This report provides assurance that effective health protection arrangements were in place throughout the year across Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly. Key themes for the year included responding to infectious disease pressures such as pertussis, measles, and cryptosporidium outbreaks, supported by multi-agency surveillance and operational response. The report detailed activity related to screening programmes, immunisation programmes, healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and emergency preparedness, resilience, and response. Strengths identified included high performance across many screening and immunisation programmes, strong multi-agency outbreak response capability, and robust emergency planning arrangements. Key risks and areas for continued focus included high C. difficile incidence, below-target MMR and preschool booster uptake, and the need for continued vigilance for zoonotic risks and climate-related emergencies.

Commitment to Remaining Part of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

The Board was asked to confirm its commitment to remaining part of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and to commit resources to this undertaking. A review of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy had been presented to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Committee in Common, which endorsed the case for a refreshed strategy to ensure continued alignment with national policy, system priorities, and updated local evidence. The proposed strategic direction includes embedding a Prevent, Reduce, Delay Prevention framework, adopting a life-course approach, strengthening neighbourhood-based delivery, and focusing action on areas where outcomes have deteriorated. The Isles of Scilly Health and Wellbeing Board had previously discussed this informally and expressed general agreement that remaining committed to a joint strategy was in the best interests of the Islands to avoid fragmentation.

CIOS SAB Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board was scheduled to receive and note the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board (CIoS SAB) Annual Report for 2024-2025. The report details the Board's activity against its strategic priorities and highlights partners' activities related to safeguarding adults. It includes learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs), partner data, and subgroup activity, evidencing efforts to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect. The report noted a continued rise in referrals, with themes of abuse including self-neglect, physical abuse, and psychological abuse remaining priority areas. The report also detailed the increased number of SARs conducted and the ongoing work to improve SAR processes and learning implementation, including the establishment of a SAR Implementation Panel. The report also covered the work of various subgroups, including the Learning and Development Subgroup, Quality Assurance Subgroup, and the Missing and Exploitation Group (MEG). Case studies and partner updates from organisations such as NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council, and Healthwatch Cornwall were also included.