The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Monday 7 September 2026 to discuss progress on the Joint Carers Strategy and the Sutton Health and Care Plan. Key decisions included noting the progress made in delivering the Joint Carers Strategy and agreeing to proposed changes for the coming year, as well as noting the update on key elements of progress against the Sutton Health and Care Plan.

Progress in the Delivery of the Joint Carers Strategy

The Board received an update on the Joint Carers Strategy 2025-30, highlighting significant progress made in its first year. The establishment of the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) was a key achievement, ensuring carer voices are heard at all levels of decision-making. Progress has been made across the four key priorities:

• Priority 1: Carer Identification and Recognition: The Council has partnered with St George's, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals on their Carers Charter, strengthening local identification and recognition. Well-being check-in calls post-discharge from hospital have been implemented, and carer identification is being embedded into ward matrons' audits.
• Priority 2: Assessing Carer's Needs: This priority is linked to the Adult Social Care/Care Quality Commission Improvement Plan. The percentage of completed Carers Assessments increased significantly from 34.9% in April 2024 to 63.8% in April 2026, exceeding the target. Direct Payments take-up has also doubled. A new workflow within Adult Social Care systems has been developed to automatically create a carer contingency plan.
• Priority 3: Supporting Carers: Work has focused on addressing gaps in carer support, identifying best practices, and collaborating with various partners. A Respite Care Task and Finish group has been established to gather feedback on respite care. Several pilot projects have been awarded funding to support carers, including initiatives focused on dementia-friendly activities, falls prevention, and addressing barriers to accessing respite care.
• Priority 4: Young Carers: Collaborative work with Young Carers has led to co-production activities with Young Carer Ambassadors who have informed the strategy's priorities. A young carer survey of local schools has been completed, and an online self-referral system has been added to the Council's website. Two Young Carers have joined the Carers Partnership Board. The new Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 is expected to further enhance support for young carers.

The Board noted the proposed actions for 2026-2027, which include strengthening the oversight and delivery of the Young Carers priority, establishing a Carer Co-Chair for the CPB, and focusing the CPB's workplan on supporting carers and developing inclusive, community-based support models.

Sutton Health and Care Plan Update

The Board received an update on the delivery of the Sutton Health and Care Plan for 2026/27. The plan, developed by the Sutton Alliance, sets out how partners will work together to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. Key areas of progress include:

• Neighbourhood Working: Integrated Neighbourhood Teams are implementing a model that brings health, social care, and community services closer to residents. Neighbourhood Leadership Groups are being formalised to provide local accountability.
• Frailty: The Proactive Care approach identifies frail residents and works with them to create care plans. Approximately 1,300 residents currently have a proactive care plan, with a target to reach 8,000 residents in the next two years. Early evidence suggests a 50% reduction in unplanned care, including A&E attendances and emergency admissions.
• GP Access: 94% of residents can access a routine GP appointment within two weeks, with a target to achieve 92% same-day access for urgent clinical needs. Extended access hubs provide additional appointments in evenings and weekends.
• Hospital to Home: This programme aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and support timely discharge. The two-hour Urgent Community Response service, virtual wards, and Technology Enabled Care are key components. The Transfer of Care Hub coordinates discharge planning across organisations.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities): The immediate focus is on the Area for Priority Action arising from the joint Ofsted/CQC inspection, specifically improving dysphagia support for children and young people with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. Joint risk management between education, health, and care partners is being strengthened.
• Healthy Hearts: Community-based approaches are being expanded, including blood pressure checks in local venues. A neighbourhood-based Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM) multidisciplinary team is being developed.

The Board noted the update on these key elements of progress, acknowledging the challenges faced, including growing local needs, workforce pressures, and financial constraints, alongside national policy changes. The plan aims to benefit residents through improved independence, better health outcomes, and a simpler experience of health and care services.