The Health & Wellbeing Board of Croydon Council met on Wednesday 17 April 2024 to review its annual reports and progress on key strategies. The Board noted the Healthwatch Croydon Annual Report 2022-23, approved the refreshed Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029, and endorsed the approach for the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Survey for School-Age Children and Young People.

Healthwatch Croydon Annual Report 2022-23

The Board received and noted the Healthwatch Croydon Annual Report for the financial year 2022-23. Edwina Morris, Chair of Healthwatch Croydon, and Gordon Kay, Healthwatch Croydon Manager, presented an overview of the organisation's work, highlighting key areas such as informing Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation, improving access for non-English speakers, supporting better GP websites, and providing insight for a new dementia strategy. They also discussed work on assessing patient experience of the MyCare patient portal, raising awareness of asylum seekers' experiences, providing insight for the London Ambulance Service's strategy, and addressing young people's mental health. The report also detailed how Healthwatch Croydon ensured communities were heard in regional decisions and recognised the contributions of its volunteers. Board members welcomed the report and emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Council and Healthwatch Croydon.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2022-23

Councillor Yvette Hopley, Chair of the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Board, presented the Board's Annual Report for 2023. The report summarised the Board's activities, statutory duties, and strategic priorities, including work on integrating care systems, refreshing the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and engaging with partners at both local and system levels. The Board noted the contents of the report and agreed to report the outcome of its monitoring of the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy's delivery plans to Full Council.

Croydon Health and Wellbeing Survey for School-Age Children and Young People (2022/23)

Ahimza Nagasivam and Claire Mundle, Consultants in Public Health, presented the findings from the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Survey for School-Age Children and Young People (2022/23). This was the first of six biennial surveys aimed at understanding and tracking trends in children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. The survey, funded by the Contain Outbreak Management Fund, provided a baseline assessment of needs. Key actions arising from the survey include establishing a professional well-being forum and organising a dedicated well-being day. The Board noted the report's results, discussed priority areas for action, and endorsed the approach being taken.

Croydon Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy Refresh: Progress Update and Next Steps

Jack Bedeman and Shifa Sarica, Consultants in Public Health, presented the progress update on the refresh of the Croydon Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) for 2024-2029. The report summarised insights from a six-week public consultation, presented the final draft of the JLHWS for approval, and outlined next steps for its implementation. The strategy, developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, focuses on five priority areas: good mental health and wellbeing for all; supporting residents with the cost of living; healthy, safe and well-connected neighbourhoods; supporting children, young people and families; and supporting the older population. The Board noted the consultation feedback, approved the final JLHWS, and agreed on the next steps for its delivery, emphasising a partnership and co-production approach.

Health and Wellbeing Board - Forward Plan

Jack Bedeman provided a verbal update on the Board's Forward Plan, highlighting that it should be reviewed regularly. Upcoming items for the next meeting include the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Work Plan, Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, Director of Public Health Annual Report, Integrated Care System Report, and a Peer Review Challenge. Board members were reminded that they could suggest items for the forward plan. A workshop session for the Board was also suggested for September.

Better Care Fund 2023/24 Quarter 3 Report

Daniele Serdoz, Acting Deputy Director for Primary and Community Care Transformation – Croydon, presented the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter 3 Submission for 2023-24. The report confirmed that Croydon was on track to meet three out of five national metrics related to residential admissions, reablement, and discharge to normal place of residence. However, the ambitious targets for falls and avoidable admissions were not on track, although local intelligence suggested improvements in Q3. The Board was assured that Croydon was on track to spend the full allocation for 2023-24 and met all national BCF conditions. The Board resolved to sign off the BCF Quarter 3 Submission for Croydon to NHS England.

The meeting concluded without the need to exclude the press and public.