The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the progress of the Neighbourhood Health in Leicestershire initiative, noting the outcomes of a pilot programme and agreeing to develop a place programme plan. The Board also reviewed the Better Care Fund's first quarter performance and received an update on the Leicestershire and Rutland Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre, agreeing to support its public messaging and the dissemination of a new information video. Finally, the Board considered the Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire Annual Report and noted concerns about the potential future of the organisation.

Neighbourhood Health in Leicestershire

The Board received an update on the Neighbourhood Health Framework in Leicestershire, highlighting national expectations and local governance arrangements. A pilot programme in West Leicestershire, focusing on housebound patients with COPD, demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved care coordination and the establishment of multidisciplinary teams. Professor Clare Fuller's visit reinforced the need for integrated neighbourhood teams to focus on the most complex patient cohorts, with an aim to reduce activity in acute services. The Board agreed to the development of a place programme plan and an addendum to the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy to support the next phase of neighbourhood health development.

Better Care Fund - Quarter 1

The Board reviewed the first quarter performance of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2026-27. While overall expenditure was in line with the published plan, there were slight deviations from targets for emergency admissions and discharge delays. The report noted that local data suggested a potential miss for the long-term admissions to care homes target, though this may be revised with national data. The Board was asked to note the performance and progress made in transforming health and care pathways, and to authorise the Chief Executive to approve the BCF Quarter 1 report for submission to NHS England.

LLR Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre

An update was provided on the commissioning and mobilisation of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The Board was informed that Mountain Healthcare had been awarded the contract to deliver SARC services from 1 October 2026. Key messages to be reinforced include that self-referral is possible for recent or historic offences, and that reporting to the police is not a prerequisite for accessing SARC services. The Board agreed to support these public-facing messages and the dissemination of a new SARC information video.

Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire Annual Report

The Board considered the Healthwatch Leicester and Leicestershire Annual Report for 2025-26, which detailed achievements in public engagement, information services, and Enter and View visits. Key achievements included engagement with over 46,000 people and the publication of 19 reports based on public insight. The report also outlined priorities for 2026-27, focusing on Pharmacy First, digital access to NHS services, and tackling health inequalities. The Board noted the contents of the report and the forward plan, with some members expressing concern about the potential future of Healthwatch following proposed government changes.