The Health and Wellbeing Board of Devon Council met on Thursday 15 October 2026 to discuss strategies for improving health outcomes in rural areas, the development of a new Neighbourhood Health Plan, and the findings of the annual public health report. The meeting also included an update from NHS Devon and a review of the council's scrutiny work programme.

Devon Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Rural Areas and Access to Services

A presentation was scheduled from the Devon Rural Deprivation Partnership, focusing on the priority theme of rural areas and access to services within Devon. This discussion was intended to inform the next steps for the Devon Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The partnership highlighted that Rurality should not be a reason for poorer access, poorer housing, weaker connectivity or worse health outcomes.¹ They presented a proposition for making rural proofing routine, advocating for the systemic embedding of rural proofing in service design and delivery. This includes the use of the ACRE Rural Proofing checklist and the development of a shared rural intelligence approach, utilising the Composite Exclusion Risk Index (CERI) to identify hidden disadvantage. The partnership also proposed collaborative, place-based NHS and public sector rural neighbourhood plans, developed in partnership with rural communities. They suggested that in the first 100 days, all Health and Wellbeing Board members commit to championing systemic rural proofing, developing the shared Devon Rural Intelligence System, approving investment in a pilot programme, and commissioning rural proofing workshops for key staff.

Developing Devon's Neighbourhood Health Plan: Timeline and Principles

The Board was scheduled to consider a report outlining the timeline and principles for developing Devon's Neighbourhood Health Plan. This initiative stems from the Department of Health and Social Care's 2026 publication of the Neighbourhood Health Framework, which aims to integrate health, social care, and public health services around local populations. The report detailed a timeline for foundational preparations in 2026/27, leading to the full implementation of locally owned Neighbourhood Health Plans for the 2027/28 commissioning cycle. Key principles for the plan's development included a wider partnership and prevention focus, a multi-levelled approach to address varying geographic needs, an evidence and intelligence-led strategy, the establishment of critical success factors, and integration into the commissioning cycle. The Board was asked to approve this timeline and these principles, with a focus on the January 2027 meeting dedicated to achieving foundational preparations.

Growing Up in Devon: Annual Public Health Report 2026

The Board was scheduled to receive and note the publication and recommendations of the Annual Public Health Report for 2026, titled 'Growing up in Devon in 2026: the opportunities and challenges'. This report, a statutory duty of the Director of Public Health, explores the experiences and aspirations of children and young people in Devon, highlighting how their diverse experiences shape their health and wellbeing. The report makes recommendations aimed at improving these experiences and ensuring young voices are heard.

NHS Devon Update

A verbal update from NHS Devon was scheduled to be provided to the Board.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The Board was scheduled to review the Council's Scrutiny Work Programme to prevent duplication of effort.

Forward Plan

The Board was scheduled to review and agree its Forward Plan.