The West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board met on 09 September 2026 to discuss a range of reports and strategies aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of residents. Key topics included the Disabled Facilities Grant Annual Report, the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy, and updates on the Neighbourhood Health Plan, Carers Strategy, and Healthwatch West Northamptonshire's annual report. The Board also received an annual report from the NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board.

Disabled Facilities Grant Annual Report 2025/2026

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Annual Report for 2025/2026 was presented, outlining the allocation and expenditure of DFG funding. The report highlighted that DFGs enable individuals with disabilities to live independently in their own homes, avoiding the need for residential care or hospital stays. Adaptations funded range from minor modifications like level-access showers to major extensions, with mandatory funding capped at £30,000 per application. The report noted that national funding for DFGs in 2025/2026 was £761 million, with £3,398,520 allocated locally to West Northamptonshire. Increases in construction material and labour costs have impacted expenditure. The report recommended that the Board note the DFG performance and expenditure, recognise its contribution to independence and hospital discharge, and support continued partnership working to maximise DFG funding through Better Care Fund arrangements.

Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy Refresh

A refreshed Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy for 2026-2031 was presented, aiming to reduce suicides and the harm caused by suicide across the county. The strategy treats suicide as a preventable population-level issue and aligns with national guidance, including NICE recommendations. It outlines a five-year cross-sector action plan involving health services, local government, the voluntary sector, and communities. The strategy incorporates learning from previous strategies, coroner's audits, and updated national evidence. It acknowledges that factors beyond clinical services, such as financial insecurity and social isolation, contribute to suicide risk, advocating for a whole-system prevention approach. The strategy is aligned with the eight priority areas of the national suicide prevention strategy and adopts a phased approach to implementation over five years. The Board was recommended to review and ratify the strategic priorities, recognising suicide prevention as a shared responsibility.

Neighbourhood Health Plan

A verbal report was provided on the Neighbourhood Health Plan. Discussions had taken place with North Northamptonshire regarding barriers to developing a neighbourhood-based model, including governance and the role of Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBBs). A key theme was the need for stronger governance and accountability, with clarity required on the respective roles of the HWBB, Place Boards, and decision-making responsibilities for neighbourhood health. There was agreement that neighbourhood health should extend beyond NHS services to address wider determinants of health and be rooted in communities, with voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations playing a central role. A second workshop focused on developing solutions to challenge statements, identifying short-term actions and longer-term system change, with strong support for neighbourhood-based working, prevention, early intervention, community involvement, and integrated service delivery. Ongoing discussions were taking place between Directors of Public Health and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to clarify ownership of actions and determine HWBB oversight. The West Executive Place Delivery Board was also exploring how the One Public Estate programme could support neighbourhood health.

Northamptonshire Carers Strategy Year 2 Report

The Year 2 report on the implementation of the West Northamptonshire Carers Strategy was presented, highlighting continued progress in supporting unpaid carers. Key achievements included maintaining timely crisis support, an increase in registered carers from 12,022 to 13,562 (a 12.8% rise), improved access to information and support, and positive outcomes from commissioned services. Performance data indicated that 100% of carers presenting in crisis received an assessment within the required timescale, and all carers accessing the commissioned crisis response service received support. The report also detailed work on joint working between carer and cared-for person assessments, increased carer involvement in co-production and commissioning, and the development of future planning and end-of-life support. Outcome measures showed that 82.6% of unpaid carers reported a reduction in carer burden and 80.6% reported an improvement in overall quality of life following commissioned support. Priorities for Year 3 include strengthening carers' voices as Experts by Experience, supporting carers' physical and mental wellbeing, and improving integration across health and social care services. The Board was asked to note the progress, recognise the positive outcomes, support the Year 3 priorities, and continue to champion the role of unpaid carers.

Healthwatch West Northamptonshire Annual Report 2025/2026

The Healthwatch West Northamptonshire Annual Report for 2025-2026 was presented, showcasing the organisation's work in listening to local people and championing their voices to improve health and social care. During the year, Healthwatch supported over 551 people, heard directly from 115 residents about their experiences, and conducted projects that influenced local services. Two major Enter and View reports were published on Northampton General Hospital's Adult A&E and Paediatrics departments, offering practical recommendations. The report also highlighted the award-nominated Health and Care Research for All: Strengthening Eastern European Voices project, which engaged over 400 people from Eastern European communities to address health inequalities. The report supports the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy by promoting resident voice, empowering individuals, reducing health inequalities, improving access to services, and informing service improvements. The Board was asked to note the report's contents and key findings, recognise Healthwatch's contribution, and support continued partnership working.

NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board Annual Report 2025/2026

The NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (NICB) Annual Report and Accounts for 2025-26 were presented. It was noted that producing an Annual Report and Accounts is a statutory requirement for each Integrated Care Board. The NICB Annual Report describes the extent to which the ICB has contributed to the delivery of any joint health and wellbeing strategy and how it has engaged with relevant Health and Wellbeing Boards. The NICB Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26 had been approved and published on the respective websites. The Board was asked to note the publication of the report.

Health Protection Committee Update

A verbal update was provided by David Johns on the Health Protection Committee.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, notification of requests to address the meeting, declarations of interest, and chair's announcements. The minutes and actions from the previous meeting on 20th July 2026 were also to be confirmed.