The Wokingham Borough Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 09 July 2026 to discuss the Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy, the outcome of the Wokingham Borough Area SEND Inspection, and progress on Neighbourhood Health Planning. Decisions were made to note key updates on suicide prevention, the SEND inspection, and to approve the approach to developing a neighbourhood health plan.

Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy Progress Update

Karen Buckley, Consultant in Public Health, presented an update on the Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-2026. The Board was informed that suicide surveillance systems are in place to systematically collect, collate, and analyse data to inform action. Locally, a near real-time suspected suicide surveillance system helps identify trends and patterns, providing an evidence base for preventative and postvention actions. While suicide clusters represent a small percentage of total suicides, their impact on community wellbeing can be significant, making early detection and targeted prevention vital.

Data for Wokingham showed a three-year rolling rate increase for suicides in persons aged 10+ between 2019-2021 and 2022-24, with a rate of 8.5 per 100,000, similar to the England average. Notably, an increase was observed more strongly in females, with rates above the England average, while male suicide rates, though higher than females locally, remained lower than the England average. The Board was reminded that these figures are based on small numbers, and data reporting can have a lag. Wokingham has the second-lowest total suicide rate in Berkshire. The measure of years of life lost due to suicide was also discussed, quantifying the broader social, economic, and public health burden. Locally, an average of 19.6 years of life are lost per suicide.

A new governance structure has been established with the formation of the Wokingham Suicide Prevention Partnership Group (WSPPG), which provides strategic leadership. A local suicide prevention self-assessment audit against the 38 recommendations of the Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy has been completed, identifying two core gaps: the need for a new suicide audit and improved data on problem gambling and its link to suicide. A Gambling Harms Needs Assessment will be undertaken. A defined local protocol for reporting suspected suicide deaths has also been developed to improve local monitoring and timely responses to potential contagion or clusters.

Councillor Stephen Conway, Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Housing, Partnerships and the Local Plan, questioned whether the incidence of suicide was increasing among young people. Karen Buckley explained that Wokingham-level numbers are too small to draw firm conclusions, and a broader Berkshire-level view is more informative. A suicide audit is hoped to provide clearer overall insights. Councillor Prue Bray, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Children's Services, asked if unsuccessful suicide attempts would be included in the audit, to which Karen Buckley responded that while self-harm and attempts would be factored in where possible, obtaining a true picture from the data is challenging. The Board noted that the definition of young people for statistical purposes starts from age 10, with Thames Valley Police data often categorising under and over 20s. Jim Kennedy highlighted the wide-ranging impact of suicide on families, communities, and professionals, and mentioned the work of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).

The Board resolved to note key updates on improved local governance, the completion of a local suicide prevention audit, and the defined local protocol for reporting suspected deaths by suicide.

Wokingham Borough Area SEND Inspection Outcome and Progress Update

Jamie Conran, Acting Service Director for SEND and Inclusion, presented the outcome of the Wokingham Borough Area SEND inspection and the partnership's response. The inspection, which took place over three weeks in January 2026, covered services for children with SEND from universal to statutory levels, including health, early years, and schools. The outcome was widespread/ systemic failings.

Inspectors found variable experiences for children and young people, with some feeling supported while others did not feel listened to or involved in decisions. Social care support, including short breaks, was valued but sometimes provided too late. Families' experiences were unequal, with those able to advocate strongly securing more support. Health concerns included long waiting times for occupational therapy, autism and ADHD assessments, wheelchair services, and specialist mental health provision. While areas of positive practice and progress since the 2019 inspection were identified, significant areas for improvement included waiting lists, awareness and consistency of the local offer, and the application of reasonable adjustments in mainstream schools.

Three priority actions were issued: the ICB must urgently develop a sustainable recovery plan for wheelchair services; the Local Area Partnership must develop a robust, data-informed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA); and the Local Area Partnership must deliver a recovery plan to improve the quality and accuracy of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Six areas for improvement were also identified.

The partnership had begun work immediately after the inspection, establishing a weekly priority action improvement programme. Additional resources had been allocated to contracts, multi-agency reviews had been conducted for children needing wheelchair updates, and NHS recovery plans were in place. An independent chair had been recruited to oversee the SEND Area Improvement Board. A draft priority action plan had been produced, and feedback was being incorporated. Jamie Conran clarified that the SEND reform plan and the Area SEND Inspection response were separate but aligned, with the reform plan focusing on a three-year roadmap and the priority action plan addressing immediate inspection findings.

Councillor Conway stressed the need for a whole-system response and enhanced partnership working. Jamie Conran acknowledged that experiences for some children and young people were not optimal but affirmed partners' commitment to improving them. Councillor Shahid Younis highlighted the importance of reassuring parents with tangible progress and evidence. The Board noted that the previous inspection in 2019 had resulted in a written statement of action, with progress made over subsequent years. The current inspection framework was acknowledged as broader and more granular. Engagement with parents through SEND Voices was ongoing, with suggestions to include schools and academy trusts in future discussions. The Board requested a further update in January. Alice Kunjappy-Clifton questioned the representation of all communities in the inspection, and Jamie Conran confirmed inspectors had sought broad engagement. The Board discussed the importance of proactive community engagement.

The Board resolved to note the Wokingham Borough Area SEND Inspection - Outcome and progress update.

Neighbourhood Health Planning

The Board received a report and presentation on the development of neighbourhood health planning in Wokingham Borough. Neighbourhood health is described as a collaborative, whole-system approach to delivering health and social care, organised around residents' lives and local needs, with a focus on devolution of power to local areas. The work will align with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with the neighbourhood health plan to be developed by early 2027 through a multi-agency working group.

Key activities during the planning year include understanding existing system foundations, benchmarking, strengthening relationships, and piloting operational elements. A particular focus is on developing proactive multidisciplinary approaches to support residents who could benefit from earlier intervention, aiming to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and demand on health and social care. Multidisciplinary team working practices are under review.

The emphasis on co-production and community engagement was welcomed, with residents, voluntary sector organisations, community groups, faith leaders, and community representatives to be central to the development of the neighbourhood health model. Alice Kunjappy-Clifton, Chair of the co-production delivery group, highlighted that community feedback might not always align with initial assumptions. The approach will build on existing community resources, including friendship tables, community engagement networks, voluntary sector services, community champions, surveys, and consultations.

The Board commented positively on the collaborative nature of the programme and the breadth of organisations involved. It was recognised that terminology such as prevention and neighbourhood could have different meanings and require careful clarification. Board members welcomed the opportunity for the Health and Wellbeing Board to play a central role in bringing partners together, supporting democratic accountability, and addressing health inequalities, aligning with the Marmot principles.

Regarding the timetable for community engagement, it was explained that it would begin as soon as practicable but in a planned and measured way to avoid overburdening residents. Councillor Younis noted the complexity of implementation due to the number of partners. A question was raised about hospital discharge and the interface with local authorities, with it being noted that discharge arrangements sit within Adult Social Care and that the Better Care Fund plays a role in supporting flow and discharge pathways.

The Board resolved to note the Neighbourhood Health Planning progress and approve the approach described for activity, governance, and the development of a neighbourhood health plan.

Update from Royal Berkshire Hospital

Andrew Statham provided an update from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust has reset its performance dashboard, highlighting key metrics such as emergency department (ED) performance, length of stay, discharge, elective waits, and cancer waits. The Trust did not meet its ED performance standard in the previous year, with ongoing challenges at both the front and back end of the patient pathway, including a 10-15% year-on-year rise in attendances, particularly among younger age groups. The discharge and length of stay metrics have been above target for five months, partly due to the incomplete delivery of winter plans.

The position on elective care is more positive, with increased outpatient activity and the introduction of an e-triage process improving decision-making speed. Performance against the cancer 62-day pathway has improved, with 78% of patients progressing from referral to first treatment within 62 days. The Trust's strategic focus includes neighbourhood care, delivering more care at home, and improving the patient experience throughout their hospital journey. Estate plans for the Reading site are being finalised, and discussions are underway for a potential new hospital site.

Alice Kunjappy-Clifton raised concerns about reports of racism, violence, and aggression experienced by Trust staff. Andrew Statham confirmed this is a significant concern, linked in some cases to racism, and that the Trust has a zero-tolerance approach, increasing warnings and exclusions, and working with Thames Valley Police through Operation Cavell. The Chief Nurse may provide a further update.

The Board resolved to note the update from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Thames Valley ICB Update

Dan Leveson provided an update on the reorganisation of the Thames Valley ICB. Following a requirement for ICBs to reduce running costs by 50% and a shift towards strategic commissioning, the ICB has merged with the eastern part of Berkshire (formerly Frimley) to become Thames Valley ICB. A staff consultation has been completed, structures confirmed, and letters issued regarding roles. The checking and challenge process is underway, followed by an appeal process. The ICB remains focused on commissioning the right levels of care and working with partners on areas such as neighbourhood health.

The Board resolved to note the Thames Valley ICB update.

Forward Programme

The Board discussed the forward programme for the remainder of the municipal year. An update on the Wokingham Borough Area SEND Inspection will be presented in January, and the Gambling Needs Assessment in March. An update on Neighbourhood Health planning is scheduled for November, with the full plan to be presented in March. Alice Kunjappy-Clifton requested an update on maternity services following national reviews.

The Board resolved to note the forward programme.