The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to discuss the Staffordshire Better Care Fund update and health and wellbeing priorities. The Board noted the performance metrics for the Better Care Fund. The plan for 2026/27 was submitted on a caveated basis and approved by NHS England. The Board considered a recommendation to extend the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy for an additional year.

Staffordshire Better Care Fund Update

The Board received an update on the Staffordshire Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025/26 and the plan for 2026/27. Rosanne Cororan, Senior Commissioner Manager for the County Council, presented the information, highlighting that two key performance metrics for 2025/26 – emergency admissions for those aged 65+ and average length of discharge delay – were not on track to meet targets. However, the metric for long-term support needs of older people met by residential and nursing care homes was on track.

For the 2026/27 BCF plan, the Board noted its submission and approval by NHS England, albeit on a caveated basis due to an ongoing dispute regarding the apportionment of the former Integrated Care Board Adult Social Care Discharge Grant allocation. This dispute centres on the split of funding between Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, with Staffordshire County Council seeking a population-based apportionment. A Section 75 agreement, a legal requirement for the BCF, was due to be in place by 30 September 2026. The report detailed the various schemes funded through the BCF, including those focused on assistive technologies, community health services, intermediate care, discharge support, and long-term care. The total BCF funding for 2026/27 was £156,433,027, with indicative funding for 2027/28 set at £158,981,586. The Disabled Facilities Grant allocation for each district and borough council within Staffordshire for 2026/27 was also provided.

During the discussion, Jackie Owen, representing Healthwatch, inquired about patient and public involvement in the determination and evaluation of new and existing schemes. Rosanne Cororan explained that feedback mechanisms were in place for existing services, and that the review of schemes had taken existing feedback into account.

Health and Wellbeing Priorities

Emma Sandbach, Consultant in Public Health, presented an update on the health and wellbeing priorities for Staffordshire. The current Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy is due to expire in 2027. However, due to upcoming local government reorganisation in April 2028 and the anticipated replacement of Health and Wellbeing Strategies with Neighbourhood Health Plans under the Health and Care Bill 2026, it was recommended that the current strategy be extended for one year to March 2028.

The strategy has four key priorities: health in early life, good mental health, healthy weight, and healthy ageing. Of the 29 indicators monitored, 20 showed similar positions to the baseline, seven had seen improvements (including reductions in smoking in pregnancy and hospital admissions for intentional self-harm), one had deteriorated (proportion of children achieving a 9-5 pass in Maths and English at key stage 4), and one had no further data. The recommendation to extend the strategy was noted, with new priorities and indicators to be considered as part of the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans for the future unitary authorities.

One attendee commented on the importance of prevention and weight loss, sharing their personal success in losing seven stone. They also emphasised the need to consider the specific comorbidities in different areas of Staffordshire and to pool local knowledge.