The Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss the future of the City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership, considering a revised governance structure that aims to strengthen the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board. Members also considered a strategic direction for physical activity across the City and Hackney, aiming to improve participation and reduce inequalities.

Next Steps in the City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership

The Board discussed the proposed refresh of the City and Hackney Health and Care Partnership structure, which aims to strengthen the role of the Health and Wellbeing Board in setting strategy and holding partners to account for delivery. This refresh is driven by national changes in integrated care boards and the anticipated introduction of Integrated Health Organisation (IHO) contracts from 2027. The proposed new governance structure includes a strengthened link between the Health and Wellbeing Boards and a newly formed City and Hackney Partnership Board, which would be positioned to oversee an IHO contract in the future. Concerns were raised about ensuring a strong City voice within the partnership and the complexity of the proposed changes. Nina Griffith, Director of Integration for the City and Hackney Place Based Partnership, presented the report, highlighting that the changes aim to build readiness for new contracting forms and create a more focused delivery function. The Board was asked to note the report and consider its implications, with comments to inform a follow-up paper.

Understanding Physical Activity in City and Hackney

The Board endorsed eight strategic recommendations aimed at increasing physical activity levels and reducing inequalities across the City and Hackney. The report, presented by Connor Melia, Senior Public Health Practitioner for City and Hackney Public Health, highlighted that physical activity is a key prevention and health inequalities issue. The recommendations focus on a whole-system approach, making everyday movement easier, building on community strengths, embedding physical activity into health and care pathways, improving awareness and access, taking a life-course approach, strengthening data collection, and prioritising support where barriers are highest. The Board noted the completion of the briefings and endorsed the recommendations to inform future planning, commissioning, and partnership work, including Neighbourhood Health Plans. There was discussion on how these recommendations could be integrated into the procurement for the new Golden Lane Leisure Centre operator and linked to youth services. Members also raised points about mental health correlations, cultural and language barriers, disability access, and the need for broader engagement strategies.

Progress Report City & Hackney Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and Action Plan, 2025-26

The Board received an update on the progress of the City & Hackney Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-26. Froeks Kamminga, Senior Public Health Specialist, highlighted achievements such as the expansion of PrEP access through a new online service, which increased uptake and reached new users. The report also detailed progress across the strategy's five themes: healthy and fulfilling sexual relationships, good reproductive health across the life course, STI prevention and treatment, living well with HIV, and inclusion for communities with complex needs. Key developments included the integrated Service Level Agreement for Relationship and Sex Education in schools, the establishment of young people's sexual health clinics, and the recommissioning of services. Concerns were raised regarding violence against women and girls, with a commitment to report back on specific outcomes and measurement in the following year. Reproductive coercion and hormone hesitancy were also discussed as important considerations. The Board was asked to note the report.

Healthwatch City of London Progress Report

The Board received a progress report from Gail Beer, Chair of Healthwatch City of London, highlighting key areas of work. These included research into the availability of NHS dentists in the City, which found limited options, particularly for routine adult care. Healthwatch is sharing these findings with NHS North East London. The organisation is also undertaking projects on patient communication regarding digital healthcare apps and the management of NHS waiting lists, including how patients are removed from lists. Enter and View visits were conducted at St Bartholomew's Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit and the Neaman Practice, with reports detailing recommendations for improvement. Patient panels and events were held on various health topics, and Healthwatch is actively involved in discussions regarding its future in light of potential legislative changes. The Board was asked to note the report.

CQC Adult Social Care Assessment Outcome Report

The Board received the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) assessment outcome report for the City of London's Adult Social Care services. The services were rated as Good, with many strengths identified, including strengths-based assessments, effective hospital discharge processes, and responsive, person-centred care. Areas for development included engagement with seldom-heard groups, support for unpaid carers, equity and data quality, voluntary sector involvement, and the completion of a City-specific Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. The report noted that many of these development areas were already being addressed through ongoing work and future plans. The Board was asked to note the report.

Any Other Business

Under Any Other Business, Sandra Husbands, Director of Public Health, informed the Board about an upcoming public health peer review by the Local Government Association, scheduled for January. Chris Pelham, also from Public Health, highlighted an event on illicit tobacco at Liverpool Street Station and discussed efforts to refresh the tobacco control alliance, seeking an elected member to join the board. Ellie Ward provided an update on defibrillator installations across the City, with new units planned for Golden Lane and Middlesex Street.