The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board met to discuss a review of the board itself, an update on the Better Care Fund, progress on the Healthy Weight priority, and a pharmaceutical needs assessment. The board agreed to ask the integrated care board for a representative to act as co-chair. Members requested more information on how the Better Care Fund is leading to improvements, and raised concerns about pharmacy access in rural areas.

Healthy Weight

Tony Bullock provided an update on the Healthy Weight priority, noting that 69% of adults in Staffordshire are overweight or obese, which is above the national average. He stated that the rate is as high as 76% in Cannock.

Mr Bullock said that the County Council helps to coordinate the Better Health Staffordshire programme, which takes a partnership approach to maximise existing opportunities for exercise and healthy eating. He noted that there is now a real community of organisations interested in weight and exercise, and that the programme aims to expand and develop initiatives, encourage engagement, and provide funding.

Mr Bullock highlighted challenges around the use of medications like Mounjaro¹, with many people buying them online or privately without the necessary support. He recommended that all organisations continue to provide support through policy initiatives, plans, and day-to-day assistance.

In response to a question about measuring progress, Mr Bullock said that while long-term goals include reducing prevalence rates, short-term measures focus on the impact of individual initiatives. He acknowledged that key measures are likely to continue to increase in the short term.

A board member raised concerns about the cultural aspects of weight loss, such as rewarding children with sweets and the complicated messaging around food. Mr Bullock agreed that messaging is difficult and needs to be tailored to different audiences, and that the programme is working with schools to encourage healthy food choices.

Phil Pusey of Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services mentioned the place expansion project in East Staffordshire, led by Together Active and funded by Sport England, which aims to tackle systemic challenges related to weight. He noted that 80% of adults in East Staffordshire believe their weight is healthy, suggesting an attitude and awareness challenge. Mr Bullock agreed that cultural change will come from community-led initiatives, and that the role of the public sector is to support and enable these initiatives.

Another board member emphasised the importance of a long-term, sustained, and coordinated approach to tackle inequalities, ensuring that programs and activities are accessible to those who need them most.

Better Care Fund Update

Roseanne Corrin and Heather Rycroft provided an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF).² They reported that the £1.8 million ICB discharge fund allocation for 2024-25 has been agreed, with £600,000 allocated to health tasks and £1.2 million towards mitigating cost pressures around discharge to a Support at Home service (SaS).

The 2025-26 plans were submitted later than expected due to an ICB grant apportionment issue. The council believes the apportionment should be in line with the adult population, while the ICB wants it to remain as it has been. NHS England has stated that the issue needs to be resolved locally. The Section 75 agreements³ have gained Cabinet approval and are due to go to the ICB board for sign-off in October.

A contingency budget of £2.8 million has been set aside for 2025-26, initially for health tasks and NHS funding for assessment of health needs. A review of schemes and services within the BCF is ongoing to ensure effective use of resources.

In response to a question about evidence of improvements, Ms Corrin said that each service or scheme is expected to produce evidence of its impact, and that MPFT⁴ reports contractually on outcome measures and KPIs. Another board member added that there are also high-level outcomes associated with the BCF, and that quarterly returns are made.

A board member sought clarification on the ICB grant apportionment issue, noting that NHS England had declined to help resolve it. Ms Corrin said that conversations are ongoing, and that a commitment has been made to ensure that the split is in line with the population next year.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Emma Sambach and Harrison presented an update on the pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA).⁵ The assessment found a relatively good number and choice of pharmaceutical services in Staffordshire, largely meeting the needs of the population. There is good coverage of pharmacy-first services, but there is a need for better awareness of what is available at pharmacies. Gaps were identified in the availability of pharmacy services on Sundays in particular parts of the counties.

The consultation ran for 60 days and received 61 responses, mainly from members of the public and pharmacy colleagues. Responses highlighted the value of additional services and requested more variety. Many responses related to Sunday availability, particularly in rural areas like Leek. Providers consider footfall when determining the location and opening hours of their providers to ensure sufficient income to cover operational costs.

A board member raised concerns about the lack of Sunday pharmacy services in Leek since the closure of the pharmacy in Sainsbury's, and the impact on people without transport. Ms Sambach acknowledged the lack of Sunday availability, but noted that the services on offer in North Staffordshire are slightly higher than in most parts of the county. She added that many pharmacy-first services are not for emergencies and can be accessed beforehand.

Another board member questioned the practical next steps for the PNA and offered support from a health perspective.

The board agreed that the final version of the PNA will be delegated to the chair for approval.

Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board Review and Chairing Proposal

Dr Richard Harling MBE of Staffordshire County Council presented a review of the Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board. The review included internal recommendations and input from the Local Government Association (LGA). One recommendation was to consider appointing an integrated care board representative as a co-chair, either a clinical lead or a non-executive director.

The board agreed to ask the integrated care board for the most appropriate representative as co-chair, to be confirmed at the next meeting.

Forward Plan

The board noted the forward plan, which includes a discussion on the health and early life priority on 10 December, as well as annual reports from safeguarding boards, the children's safeguarding partnership, the ICB, and the integrated care board joint forward planners.