The Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday, 8 October 2026, to discuss key strategies for improving the health and wellbeing of residents across the county. Significant focus was placed on the new Public Health Strategy 2026-2030, which aims to promote prevention, personal responsibility, and community strength, and an update was provided on the Lancashire Better Care Fund, including plans for integrated care and neighbourhood health services.

Health and Wellbeing Board Refresh: Partnership Workshop Outcomes and Next Steps

Stephen Morton, a consultant in public health at Lancashire County Council, presented the outcomes of a partnership workshop held on 11 August 2026. The workshop aimed to refine priorities for collaborative action to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Four key themes emerged: earlier intervention, working with communities and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, integrated working, and reducing inequalities. From these, three priority areas were identified for action by March 2027: addressing frailty, improving work and health, and enhancing child development.

During the discussion, Alex Herretidge, Chief of Strategy for the Integrated Care Board, highlighted the strong link between employment and resident health, endorsing the work and health priority. Helen Coombes, Executive Director for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, questioned why any organisation would not sign up to these priorities, emphasising the potential for significant impact through collective action. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, Leader of the Opposition, sought timelines for addressing frailty and corridor care. Dr. David Wrigley, Deputy Chair of the BMA's GP Committee, raised concerns about the punitive rules of the Quality and Outcomes Framework impacting childhood vaccinations and the flatlined funding for flu vaccinations. Wayne Longshaw, Director of Integration for Mersey and West Langs Hospital Trust, offered contributions to frailty, recruitment, and best start in life initiatives. Dr. Preeti Shukla, a GP and Chair of East Lines Alliance, stressed the need for integrated approaches, particularly in women's health and addressing long waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments. Teri Stephenson, Chief Executive at AGUK Lancashire and a voluntary sector representative, sought confidence that the voluntary sector's role would be clearly defined in future delivery arrangements. Dr. Shashi Khandavalli, a GP in Chorley, emphasised the importance of continuity of care and the positive role general practice can play. Jane Swarbrick, Clinical Director of FCMS, a social enterprise, highlighted the need to review the purpose of contracts and ensure joined-up services. Mike Thomas, a co-chair of the board, questioned the availability of baseline data for the three priority areas and encouraged active participation from all members. Helen Coombes further elaborated on the council's vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities. Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, stressed the importance of addressing deprivation versus wealth to improve health outcomes. Joe Hannett, Chief Officer of Community Futures, cautioned that without focus and resources, the March 2027 targets might not be met. Gareth Thomas, Interim Chief Executive at Lancashire and South Cumbria Trust, welcomed the move from commentary to action and highlighted the importance of parity of esteem between mental and physical health. Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, summarised the discussion, emphasising the need to measure progress, capture existing organisational contributions, identify barriers, and ensure connectivity from ward level to strategic planning.

Lancashire Better Care Fund Update

Matthew Emerson, Director of Commissioning at Lancashire County Council, provided an update on the Lancashire Better Care Fund (BCF). The BCF is a pooled fund between Lancashire County Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) focused on integrated care. The 2026-27 plan for the BCF, including the development of a Section 75 agreement, was presented for approval. This year is a transitional year, with a review planned to inform the 2027-28 plan and the route to integration. The plan reflects national direction towards neighbourhood health and prevention, alongside local priorities.

During the discussion, Dr. VG Chandrasekar raised a question regarding Part 2 of the appendix, which was noted as confidential. Dr. Shukla, a GP and Chair of East Lines Alliance, welcomed the integrated approach and highlighted specific areas for improvement, including women's health services and addressing long waiting lists for ADHD and autism assessments. The Board was also presented with examples of successful integrated care, such as the Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network, which has significantly reduced hospital admissions and outpatient attendances.

Ageing Well – Supporting People Through Hospital Pathways

John Williams, Director of Operations at Lancashire County Council, presented an overview of partnership working to support people through hospital care pathways. He highlighted that frailty is a major contributor to urgent and emergency care pressures, and that a Home First approach is central to managing this. The report detailed progress in improving discharge and review models, with a focus on preventing avoidable admissions and supporting recovery in community settings.

Key initiatives include strengthening admission avoidance, reablement services, and community support. Wayne Longshaw, Director of Integration for Mersey and West Langs Hospital Trust, highlighted their organisation's contribution to frailty management and recruitment efforts. Mubashar Ali, Chief Executive at Community Pharmacy Lancashire and South Cumbria, emphasised the integral role of community pharmacies in prevention and highlighted the Discharge Medicine Service as a crucial, yet inequitably accessed, service. Dr. Shashi Khandavalli, a GP, stressed the importance of continuity of care in enabling people to age well at home. Helen Coombes, Executive Director for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, discussed the importance of early identification of carers and closer collaboration between adult social care and primary care. Dr. Preeti Shukla also shared a positive example of collaboration between adult social care and GP practices in Burnley.

Public Health Strategy 2026-2030

Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities, presented Lancashire County Council's Public Health Strategy 2026-2030. The strategy aims to improve health and wellbeing through prevention, personal responsibility, strong communities, and partnership working. It highlights that nearly half of premature deaths in Lancashire are preventable and sets out five key priorities: Childhood Development, Youth Resilience, Health and Economic Growth, Active Lives and Healthy Environments, and Promoting Independence and Healthy Ageing.

David Blacklock, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Lancashire, supported the strategy, particularly the emphasis on personal responsibility, but suggested a joint communications group to streamline information for citizens. Joe Hannett, Chief Officer of Community Futures, welcomed the strategy and the focus on public health in every portfolio, but questioned whether investment in community capacity was proportionate to the expectations placed upon it. Dr. David Wrigley expressed concern about the reduction in public health specialists over the years and asked about commitments to increase their numbers. Gareth Thomas, Interim Chief Executive at Lancashire and South Cumbria Trust, expressed interest in how strategies would be knitted together. Dr. Karunanithi responded to these points, acknowledging the challenges with public health funding and the need for a whole-system approach. Councillor Margaret France, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Partnerships for Chorley, expressed sadness at the preventable nature of premature deaths and called for more proactive health promotion messaging. The co-chairs of the board discussed the need to clarify the board's role as either an assurance or action group and how to capture and follow up on suggestions made.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the date of the next meeting, with an informal meeting scheduled for 17 November 2026 and the next formal meeting on 19 January 2027.