This meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Board included for discussion updates on a range of topics relating to public health in Barnet. In particular the board was scheduled to consider an update on the provision of pharmaceutical services in Barnet, and a report on the implementation of the Suicide Prevention Plan. The board was also scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Combating Drugs Partnership Board, a report on communicable diseases in Barnet, and a report on progress on the implementation of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

The report pack includes a report on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) that the council is required to publish every three years. The most recent PNA was approved and published in 2022.

The report states that there have been several changes of ownership for various pharmacy contractors in Barnet, but that only one change requires discussion. Bishops Pharmacy in East Finchley, reduced their opening hours, closing at 6pm Monday to Friday (previously 7pm) and closing on Saturdays (previously open 9am-6pm).

The report pack also includes a proposed process for reviewing applications for changes in pharmacy provision in Barnet.

Suicide Prevention Plan

The report pack contains an update on the work done by the Barnet Suicide Prevention Partnership, a multi-agency group that seeks to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Barnet.

The report states that the suicide rate in Barnet in 2021-2023 was 5 per 100,000, significantly lower than both the London average (7.0 per 100,000) and the England average (10.7 per 100,000).

The report pack contains a detailed review of the activities of the Barnet Suicide Prevention Partnership. This includes details of the partnership’s work to raise awareness of suicide prevention, to provide training on suicide prevention, and to provide support to people who have been bereaved by suicide.

The report also includes a review of suicide and self-harm statistics in Barnet.

Combatting Drugs Partnership Board

The report pack includes a report on the activities of the Combating Drugs Partnership Board (CDPB). The CDPB was established in November 2022 to deliver the government's 10-year plan to tackle harm caused by illegal drug use. The report provides updates on the work done by the CDPB, and progress on its workplan to deliver on the government's three strategic priorities:

• Breaking Drug Supply Chains 
• Delivering a world-class treatment and recovery system
• Achieving a generational shift in the demand for drugs

The report notes that there are some challenges that have hindered the partnership's progress, and proposes a revised structure to address these challenges. The report also recommends the production of a highlight strategy to summarise the 2022 needs assessment and set out a 5-year plan for the board.