The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 18 September 2025 to discuss tackling substance misuse, suicide prevention, pharmaceutical needs, and safeguarding adults. Key decisions included approving the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for 2025-2028 and the final Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030. The board also noted progress on the Combating Drugs Partnership update and the Annual Director of Public Health Report on substance misuse, as well as the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report.

Tackling Substance Misuse in Barnet

The board received an update on the Barnet Combating Drugs Partnership Board (CDPB) and the Annual Director of Public Health Report 2025, both focusing on tackling substance misuse. The CDPB, established in November 2022, has restructured into three subgroups: Enforcement, Treatment and Recovery, and Prevention, aligning with the national drug strategy 'From Harm to Hope'. Key achievements highlighted included increased arrests for drug trafficking, the recommissioning of adult and youth drug and alcohol treatment services to Change, Grow, Live (CGL), and a significant increase in engagement with the DrinkCoach service. The Director of Public Health's report emphasised the scale of substance misuse in Barnet, emerging threats like synthetic opioids, and the progress made through local partnerships. Recommendations included increasing prevention and early intervention, improving access to treatment for underserved groups, addressing health inequalities, strengthening data and intelligence, and enhancing partnership working.

Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2030

The board reviewed the closure report of the previous Suicide Prevention Strategy (2021-2025) and approved the final draft of the new strategy for 2026-2030. The previous strategy had achieved national recognition for its pioneering work, including an award-winning campaign targeting men and a multiple suicide response plan for schools. The new strategy adopts a public health approach, building on previous successes and addressing emerging concerns. It commits to embedding suicide prevention across all partners, addressing social determinants of suicidal thoughts, and providing universal interventions for the whole population alongside targeted actions for those at greater risk. The strategy was co-produced with multi-agency partners and individuals with lived experience.

Final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

The board approved the final draft of the Barnet Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025-2028. This statutory document assesses the availability and accessibility of pharmaceutical services, considering the health needs of the local population and identifying any gaps. The assessment found no current or future gaps in the provision of necessary pharmaceutical services across Barnet. While provision and access to Advanced, Enhanced, and Locally Commissioned Services were deemed reasonable, the board expressed a desire for improved coverage and encouraged more community pharmacies to sign up for these services.

Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-25

The board noted the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report for 2024-25. The report highlighted that activity and trends are largely in line with national figures, with repeat concerns being low. The report also noted good work between health and social care, particularly in the care sector, regarding awareness and learning from inquiries. Concerns were raised about changes to Healthwatch and the need to maintain strong working relationships with ICB colleagues. The report indicated that neglect and acts of omission were the most common types of risk, and the board is looking into this further. The report also detailed the board's work programme for 2025-26, which includes a focus on carers and safeguarding, multi-agency audits, and discussions on generative AI.

Forward Work Programme

The board noted the forward work programme, which includes a deep dive into children and young people's health, neighbourhood health, special educational needs and alternative provision, and the Better Care Fund. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 January 2026.

The meeting also noted the absence of several members, with substitutes in place. There were no declarations of interest or public questions. A last-minute inquiry regarding a pharmaceutical needs analysis was to be dealt with formally outside the meeting.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all contributors, particularly Elaine from Change Grow Live for sharing her personal experience of addiction and recovery.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Alison Moore, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, alongside other board members and officers. Substitutes were present for some apologies.

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as read and signed. Action updates were provided on the Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan, including the commencement of research into the trusted adult pilot in schools and work being undertaken with a private mental health provider to strengthen information sharing protocols. An update on the North Central London Population Integrated Health Strategy was also noted as being for a future meeting.

Declarations of interest were noted as none. Public questions were also noted as none, however, a last-minute inquiry regarding the pharmaceutical needs analysis was to be dealt with formally outside the meeting.

The substantive items on the agenda were the Tackling Substance Misuse update and the Director of Public Health Annual Report, followed by the Suicide Prevention Strategy reports, the Final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, and the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report. The Forward Work Programme was also discussed.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all contributors, particularly Elaine from Change Grow Live for sharing her personal experience.

The Health and Wellbeing Board convened on Thursday, 18 September 2025, to address several critical public health matters. The meeting, confirmed as held, saw the board make key decisions regarding the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

The board approved the Final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025-2028. This statutory document assesses the current and future pharmaceutical needs of Barnet's population, confirming that there are no identified gaps in the provision of necessary pharmaceutical services, either currently or in the future. While provision for advanced, enhanced, and locally commissioned services is considered reasonable, the board expressed a desire for improved coverage and encouraged more community pharmacies to participate in these services.

A significant decision was the approval of the final Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030. This new strategy, titled Stronger Together: Partnering to Save Lives and Prevent Suicide in Barnet, builds upon the successes of the previous strategy, which had gained national recognition. It adopts a public health approach, aiming to embed suicide prevention across all sectors, address social determinants of suicidal thoughts, and implement universal interventions for the entire population, alongside targeted support for those at higher risk. The strategy was co-produced with multi-agency partners and individuals with lived experience.

The board also noted the progress of the Combating Drugs Partnership (CDPB) and the Annual Director of Public Health Report 2025, both focusing on tackling substance misuse in Barnet. The CDPB has been restructured into three subgroups – Enforcement, Treatment and Recovery, and Prevention – to align with the national drug strategy. Achievements included increased arrests for drug trafficking and recommissioning of treatment services. The Director of Public Health's report highlighted emerging threats and progress made through local partnerships, with recommendations for increased prevention, improved treatment access, and enhanced partnership working.

Furthermore, the board noted the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024-25. This report indicated that safeguarding activity and trends were largely in line with national figures, with low repeat concerns. It highlighted good multi-agency work, particularly between health and social care, and noted concerns regarding changes to Healthwatch and the need to maintain strong working relationships with ICB colleagues. The report identified neglect and acts of omission as the most common types of risk.

The meeting also included updates on action points from previous meetings, with research into the trusted adult pilot in schools commencing and work underway to strengthen information sharing protocols with private mental health providers.

The Forward Work Programme was also noted, with future deep dives planned on children and young people, culture and health, neighbourhood health, special educational needs and alternative provision, and the Better Care Fund. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 January 2026.

There were no declarations of interest or public questions. A last-minute inquiry regarding the pharmaceutical needs analysis was to be addressed outside the meeting. The meeting concluded with thanks to all contributors, particularly Elaine from Change Grow Live for sharing her personal experience.