The Camden Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss health protection, pharmaceutical needs, and strategic priorities at its meeting. The board was also expected to review the Better Care Fund plan and its work programme.

Camden Better Care Fund Plan 2025-26

The Health and Wellbeing Board was expected to consider the Camden Better Care Fund Plan 2025-26, which outlines how Camden Council and the North Central London ICB will integrate their spending. The Better Care Fund (BCF) plan includes a pooled annual budget of £44,900,088.

The BCF plan is intended to support the Camden Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). The plan also sets local targets for national BCF metrics, which measure the performance of the integrated health and care system.

The Camden 2025-26 BCF Plan is a continuation of the expenditure plan for 2024-25, with adjustments for inflation and new allocations to support the Camden Rapid Response Service. The report pack indicated that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) may reform the BCF after the government's 10 Year Health Plan is published in 2025. In preparation, current schemes will be reviewed with NHS and social care colleagues.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025-28

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to review the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) report for 2025-28. The PNA is a statutory document that evaluates pharmaceutical services in the area and identifies gaps in service provision. The draft report was scheduled to be out for consultation until 15 August 2025.

The report pack noted that the PNA covers:

• An overview of the PNA process
• An analysis of current and future health needs in Camden
• A description of community pharmacies in Camden, services and opening times
• Findings from public and contractor questionnaires
• An evaluation of existing service provision
• A summary of findings and the PNA statement

The report pack stated that Camden has 61 community pharmacies, which is a higher number relative to its population size compared to London and England. It also noted that 65% of survey respondents said their community pharmacy met their needs extremely well or very well .

The report pack stated that 100% of the population can get to their nearest pharmacy within a 9-minute walk, 10 minutes using public transport, or 5 minutes by car. On Sundays, all residents are within a 10-minute car journey or 15-minute public transport journey to their nearest pharmacy.

The report pack stated that no current or future gaps were identified in the provision of necessary services during normal working hours and outside normal working hours, and no gaps have been identified in the provision of advanced or enhanced services.

The board was also scheduled to delegate authority to Kirsten Watters, Director of Public Health, to approve the final report after the consultation, ensuring publication by 1 October 2025.

Health Protection Update

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to receive an update on health protection issues and epidemiology in Camden from Kirsten Watters, Director of Public Health.

The report pack noted that the update would focus on:

• Measles: Following a large outbreak in London in Summer 2024, measles rates have begun to increase again, primarily affecting unvaccinated children under 10. There is currently an outbreak in a primary school in Camden, with 8 children diagnosed with measles.
• Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS): The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a cluster of iGAS cases in Camden and Islington, particularly among people who inject drugs and people living with homelessness.
• COVID-19 variant (Nimbus variant): A new variant of COVID-19 has been detected in the UK, but there is no evidence to suggest it causes more severe disease or that vaccines will be less effective against it.

Short-Term Strategic Priorities

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss short-term strategic priorities. The local partnership's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-30 sets out three short-term priorities for action, but new priorities may be adopted in response to changing needs.

The report pack stated that the report would acknowledge progress on the existing priorities and set out how work on them is being mainstreamed. It would then propose the adoption of three new short-term priorities:

• Reducing alcohol-related harm
• Reducing drug-related harm
• Embedding prevention in neighbourhoods

Work Programme of the Health and Wellbeing Board

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss its work programme. The report pack noted that the programme is developed by board members and partners, with oversight from the Chair of the Board and support from Camden strategy officers. The board was asked to note the draft programme and suggest items for inclusion at future meetings.

Appointment of Co-Opted Members

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to consider the appointment of Lacey Cousins as the Primary Schools Representative co-opted member.

Terms of Reference

The Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to note the Health and Wellbeing Board terms of reference. The terms of reference included in the report pack stated that:

The Camden Health and Wellbeing Board galvanises shared action across the health and care system to make Camden the best place to grow, live and age well.

The terms of reference also stated that the board is responsible for fulfilling the duties required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012¹ to:

• Provide collective leadership for the general advancement of the health and wellbeing of the Camden population by promoting the integration of health and social care services
• Identify the health and care needs of Camden residents through the preparation of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
• Develop and agree the framework for health and care commissioning and provision to meet the needs of Camden residents through a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy