The Health and Wellbeing Board of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Monday 12 October 2026 to discuss the Annual Director of Public Health Report, an update on Neighbourhood Health and Care, and the Kingston Health Protection Forum. The meeting also included an urgent decision regarding the Kingston Better Care Fund.

Annual Director of Public Health Report

A key item scheduled for discussion was the Annual Director of Public Health Report, authored by Katy Scammell, Director of Public Health. This report aimed to explore the relationship between race, ethnicity, and health in Kingston, with recommendations for improving health equity. The report highlighted that nearly a third of Kingston residents come from an ethnic minority background, and nearly a fifth speak a main language other than English or Welsh.

The report detailed findings across several areas:

• Childhood Vaccination: Children from Black ethnic groups in Kingston showed lower uptake rates for the 6-in-1 and MMR vaccines compared to other ethnicities.
• Diabetes: Diabetes was found to be most prevalent among adults from Asian ethnic groups, with nearly 8% of residents aged 20-69 living with the disease.
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): Among those eligible for the NHS Health Check, residents from Asian ethnic groups had the highest prevalence of CVD, with Pakistani residents showing a particularly high rate.
• Mental Health: Kingston residents from Black ethnic groups reported a higher prevalence of severe mental illness.
• Frailty: Residents from Asian ethnic groups were more likely to be living with severe frailty, with those of Bangladeshi heritage having the highest rate.

The report also included insights from stakeholder engagement, with residents highlighting the need for culturally sensitive support, challenges with interpretation services, and experiences of racism and discrimination impacting their health. Recommendations included making the addressing of racial and ethnic inequities a key aspect of the Health and Wellbeing Board's role, with assurance provided by the Kingston Neighbourhood Leadership Group. Partner organisations were also expected to update on their embedding of anti-racist practice.

Kingston Neighbourhood Health and Care Update

The Board was scheduled to receive a presentation on the development of Neighbourhood Health and Care in Kingston, seeking agreement for the next phase of work. This initiative aligns with national policy direction, including the NHS 10 Year Plan, which aims to shift care from hospitals to communities and from sickness to prevention. The proposed approach involves establishing three neighbourhood footprints: Kingston, New Malden & Worcester Park, and Chessington & Surbiton. These areas are intended to guide neighbourhood planning, population insight, and local partnership working, with a focus on improving health outcomes, access to general practice, and the primary-secondary care interface. The funding for this initiative includes a £250,000 Place Delivery Fund to support projects such as Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, mental health prevention posts, and community health and wellbeing workers.

Health Protection Forum

Information was to be provided on the Kingston Health Protection Forum (HPF) and its work, including the 2025/26 Annual Report. The HPF, chaired by Kingston Public Health, meets regularly to review infectious disease data, national guidance, and to draft health protection plans, such as the Kingston Local Outbreak Control Plan. The report noted that while overall childhood vaccination uptake rates remained stable, they had not met the World Health Organisation's recommended 95% for herd immunity. The forum also reviewed data and guidance on measles, avian influenza, and adverse weather health risks. An area identified for further assurance was Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), with a need for more comprehensive data on IPC audits and training across various care settings.

Urgent Decision: Approval of Kingston Better Care Fund 26/27

The Board was to be informed of an urgent decision taken under Procedure Rule 30 regarding the approval of the Kingston Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2026/27. This decision was necessary to meet national planning requirements and ensure the timely release of the pooled BCF budget, which totals £20,709,244 for the year. The BCF supports the integration of health and social care to improve person-centred care and outcomes. The plan was co-produced with various stakeholders and endorsed by multiple senior officers and executives.

Previous Meeting Minutes

The minutes of the Kingston Partnership Board held on 25 February 2026 were scheduled for confirmation. Discussions at that meeting included an update on the River Safety Forum, highlighting initiatives such as throwline boards and lifelines, and addressing challenges posed by climate change and increased river usage. The Board also received an overview of the Poverty Needs Assessment (PNA), which aimed to strategically address poverty in Kingston by gathering data on benefit claims, income, employment, and debt. The development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was also considered, with a proposal to establish a JSNA Steering Group to inform a new Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy. An update on the Kingston & Richmond Integrated Frailty Programme was also presented, focusing on a patient-centred model to support frail individuals in the community and reduce reliance on hospital care.