The West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss a range of public health priorities. Key topics scheduled for consideration included the Better Care Fund, progress on the SEND Action Plan, and updates on strategies for Family Hubs, Women's Health, and Neighbourhood Health Plans.

Better Care Fund

The meeting was scheduled to review the 2025/2026 end-of-year report and the 2026/2027 plan for the Better Care Fund (BCF). The BCF is a national initiative aimed at integrating health and social care services to support people in remaining independent for longer. Discussions were expected to cover the BCF's role in supporting integrated and preventative care, particularly for those with complex needs, and how funding will be used to improve intermediate care services. The report pack indicated that the BCF plans for 2026/2027 would focus on a shift towards prevention, proactive care, and discharge optimisation, with increased investment in areas such as Urgent Community Response and Age Well neighbourhood teams.

SEND Overview and Action Plan Progress

An update was scheduled on the progress of the action plan for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This followed an inspection in March 2024 that identified widespread and systemic failings in the provision for children and young people with SEND. The report pack indicated that progress had been made in areas such as reducing assessment waiting times and improving the quality of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans. Workstreams focused on partnership and leadership, ensuring the right support is provided at the right time, assessment and EHC plan timeliness and quality, and transitions and preparation for adulthood were expected to be discussed.

Family Hubs and Family Help Strategy

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the implementation of the Family Hubs and Family Help Strategy. This strategy aims to provide a transformed, partnership-led approach to supporting children, young people, and families through early intervention and prevention. The report highlighted the opening of several Family Hubs and spokes across West Northamptonshire, delivering a range of activities and services. The alignment of Family Hubs with the Neighbourhood Health Model was also a planned discussion point.

Women's Health Strategy

The meeting was set to present the emerging Northamptonshire Women's Health Strategy. This strategy adopts a life-course approach to improving health outcomes for women and girls, addressing issues such as declining healthy life expectancy, inequalities in access to care, and fragmented service pathways. The strategy aims to support a more integrated, neighbourhood-based model of care focused on prevention and improved navigation.

Neighbourhood Health Plan Progress Update

A verbal update was scheduled on the progress of the Neighbourhood Health Plan. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and deliver more personalised, joined-up care by bringing services closer to communities. The plan outlines national priorities including improving health outcomes for high-priority groups, enhancing access to general practice, improving planned care experience, and strengthening urgent and emergency care.

Regional Director of Public Health Report

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the Critical Six for 2026 priorities from the Regional Director of Public Health for the Midlands. These priorities represent areas where coordinated, system-level action is deemed to have the greatest impact on population health outcomes. The six areas identified were: reducing infant mortality, improving early years development and school readiness, reducing smoking prevalence, preventing cardiovascular disease, addressing children and young people's mental health, and reducing tuberculosis incidence. The report pack indicated that these priorities are intended to support, rather than replace, local assessments of need and existing Health and Wellbeing Board priorities.

Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland Integrated Care Board Cluster Update

A verbal update was also scheduled from the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland (LNR) Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cluster. This would likely provide an overview of the ICB's five-year commissioning strategy, which focuses on key priority areas such as frailty, early mortality, and children and young people's mental health.

Mental Health Learning Disability Autism Collaboration

The meeting was expected to include a presentation on the Mental Health, Learning Disability, and Autism Collaboration. This would cover the programme's overview and progress against recommendations from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) related to mental health and learning disability.

Other Business

The agenda also included a slot for Any Other Business, where any additional matters for discussion could be raised.