The Croydon Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 1 July 2026 to discuss the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on supporting the older population. Key decisions included noting progress on the strategy, endorsing recommendations from the Older People's Needs Assessment, and ratifying the Better Care Fund submission.

The Board heard updates on the Older People's Needs Assessment, which highlighted increasing pressures on health and social care services due to Croydon's growing over-65 population. The assessment identified key health challenges such as falls, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, alongside social determinants like housing, transport, and digital exclusion. Nineteen recommendations were made across four strategic themes: becoming a fully age-friendly borough, strengthening preventive care, enhancing integrated care for complex needs, and addressing social isolation and mental health. The Board also received an update on the Dementia Strategy, noting progress on training, awareness campaigns, and discharge checklists, while acknowledging the need for a more robust monitoring and delivery approach. An update on the Health Protection Forum's work and assurance framework was also presented, highlighting effective partnerships and ongoing efforts to address childhood vaccination coverage and communicable disease control. Finally, the Board reviewed its forward plan, outlining upcoming deep dives on mental health and children, young people, and families, alongside discussions on the Better Care Fund, anti-racism initiatives, and safeguarding reports.

Supporting Croydon's Older Population

The meeting began with a deep dive into Priority Five of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Supporting our older population to live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. Ahimza Nagasivam, Consultant in Public Health, presented the findings of the Croydon Older People Needs Assessment¹. This assessment, the first comprehensive review in over a decade, revealed that by 2030, the over-65 population in Croydon will rise by 25% to nearly 71,000. This demographic shift will place significant pressure on health services, social care, and housing. The assessment highlighted critical health challenges, including high rates of falls, increasing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and the growing prevalence of dementia. Social determinants such as inadequate housing, transport barriers, and digital exclusion were also identified as significant issues.

Sean Olivier, Head of Older Adult Social Care, provided an update on the Dementia Strategy², noting that while Croydon has a strong dementia diagnosis rate, post-diagnosis support needs augmentation. He outlined progress on actions such as staff training, dementia awareness weeks, and the development of a dementia discharge checklist. Hilary Williams, Managing Director for Community and Integration, presented an update on older people's health and care, emphasising a focus on optimising independence and interdependence. She highlighted work on frailty services, intermediate care provision, and the importance of a system-wide approach to training and development.

During the discussion, Councillor Janet Campbell raised concerns about the growing need and the pressure on services, stressing the importance of community support and the Croydon Pound in commissioning future services. Edwina Morris, Chair of Healthwatch Croydon³, noted the positive impact of reducing hospital admissions but also highlighted older people's feelings of safety in hospital and the need to address fears about receiving care at home. Celeste, a member of the board, raised the issue of carer support and the need to invest in prevention, particularly regarding falls. The Board also discussed the importance of making health everybody's business and the need for early preparation for caring roles.

Better Care Fund and Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Paul Connolly, Head of Integrated Contracts and Performance for the One Croydon Alliance⁴, presented the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 End of Year Submission⁵. He reported that Croydon was on track to meet most KPIs, with a slight miss on residential admission rates due to higher acuity of need. The Board ratified the submission. He also presented the BCF 2026-27 planning submission⁶, noting a small increase in funding but highlighting the challenge of one-year agreements making long-term planning difficult. The Board was asked to sign off this submission.

Sally Hudd, Public Health Principal, provided an update on the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)⁷. She explained the process for tracking changes in pharmacy opening times and relocations and assured the Board that any impact on service provision would be determined. Questions were raised about Saturday and Sunday closures and the accessibility of pharmacies.

Terms of Reference Updates and Health Protection

Sally Hudd also presented proposed changes to the Health and Wellbeing Board's Terms of Reference⁸. These included adding a Resident Voices Group representative and a Primary Care Sector representative to the non-core membership, and incorporating the Neighbourhood Health Programme as a constitutional change. The Board was asked to approve these changes and recommend the Neighbourhood Health item for formal approval by full Council.

James Moore, Public Health Consultant, presented the Health Protection Forum Annual Report⁹. He highlighted effective arrangements across Croydon, supported by strong partnerships, and noted that childhood vaccination coverage remained below the 95% target. The Board was asked to note the current position, support the re-establishment of annual reporting, and receive future updates on revised governance arrangements.

Forward Plan

The Board reviewed its forward plan¹⁰, outlining the agenda for the next meeting on October 14th. This will include reporting on progress against the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with a deep dive into Good Mental Health and Wellbeing for All. Other items include the Better Care Fund, updates on the tobacco control strategy, anti-racism work programme, safeguarding reports, and the neighbourhood health and care work. Workshops for Board members on their role, an anti-racism programme, and creative health were also noted.