The Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss drug, alcohol and tobacco strategic priorities, the Lewisham Health and Wellbeing strategy, and a joint strategic needs assessment update. The board approved the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco (DAT) strategic priorities for 2025-28 and the Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030.

Lewisham Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Strategic Priorities 2025-2028

The board approved the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco (DAT) strategic priorities for 2025-2028. The strategic priorities focus on six main areas: culture change and community impact, prevention and early intervention, minimise harm and protect health and the environment, treatment and recovery, community safety, and emerging challenges.

The report noted that alcohol-specific mortality rates have risen in Lewisham, along with under 75s mortality rates from alcoholic liver disease and admission episodes for alcohol-specific conditions. Although smoking prevalence rates in the borough are declining, rates are higher in more deprived areas and among those with long-term mental health conditions, increasing inequalities amongst residents. There have also been increases in hospital admissions for substance misuse in 15–24-year-olds.

The strategic priorities aim to provide guiding principles to help all stakeholders contribute to a whole systems approach to tackling addiction. The report set out key activities for the next 12 months, including raising awareness and visibility of treatment services, solidifying collaborative partnership working, and providing a wraparound offer for schools.

Councillor Paul Bell, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, said the priorities are a compassionate response to complex public health challenges and reflect a commitment to enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of every resident.

Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030

The board approved the Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all Lewisham residents and reduce existing health inequalities by taking partnership action on prevention and priority social determinants of health for the borough. The priority areas for action within the strategy are poverty, housing, education and prevention.

The strategy recognises that health inequalities stem from broader social, economic, and environmental conditions that influence people's ability to live a healthy life. It aims to address these inequalities through targeted action and partnership working.

Emma DeZoot, the deputy director of the GLA Group Public Health Unit, spoke about the mayor of London's health priorities, which include impacting outcomes and improving child health, mental health, and heart health, with a focus on inclusive growth and health opportunities. She noted that the mayor coordinates and publishes an inequality strategy, with time-limited implementation plans.

Several board members raised concerns about the implementation process and the need for community engagement and co-production. Michael Kerin from Healthwatch Lewisham said that the strategy is highly dependent on co-production and the engagement of residents, and that trust in public health measures needs to be earned and reinforced.

Councillor Bell said that the strategy needs to be embedded in different cultures and approaches, and that the community needs to feel part of it. He also noted that carers were only mentioned once in the strategy.

In response, it was stated that the strategy actions would be translated into actions with timelines and implementation partners, and that this would be co-designed with the voluntary community sector.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Update

Patricia Duffy, the health intelligence manager within the public health team at the council, presented an update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA describes who lives in Lewisham, what their health needs are, and what the health inequalities are.

The update included information on population growth, main causes of death, and life expectancy at birth. The Office for National Statistics' first population projections since the 2021 census show that Lewisham's population is expected to increase overall, reaching 311,000 by 2030. However, there is expected to be a decrease in the number of children aged 5 to 14.

Cancer remains the most common cause of death for Lewisham residents. Life expectancy data has also been updated, showing a small increase locally, regionally, and nationally after a drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The update also included information on an in-depth topic assessment on autism, which has seen increased numbers of people being diagnosed with autism, being referred for a diagnosis, and identifying as autistic themselves. Issues uncovered so far include waiting times to be assessed and a lack of support after diagnosis.

Finally, the update included information on a finalised in-depth topic assessment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The assessment found that 21% of pupils in Lewisham schools have identified SEND, which is higher than statistical neighbours, London, and England. Waiting times and a lack of support post-diagnosis were identified as key issues.

Councillor Paul Bell requested an action plan to address the death rates of males in the borough being skewed between London and national. He also noted that there is an all-age autism strategy, but not one for ADHD. Councillor Edison Huynh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, asked about data on the legacy of the pandemic, particularly as it relates to the increasing number of EHCP plans.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) Update

Trish Duffy provided an update on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). The PNA is a statutory needs assessment that must be done every three years. A steering group has been established, and a statutory consultation with pharmacists, the public, and service users will take place. A draft PNA will be written and open for consultation for 60 days, before being presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board in spring 2026.