The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday 08 October 2025 to discuss the NHS 10-year plan and its implications for Newham, review the progress of the 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham strategy, and explore initiatives to improve food security and healthy eating. Key decisions included approving the 50 Steps annual report and committing to maintaining and prioritising partnership working.

NEL ICB Update and 10 Year Plan Approach

The Board received an update on the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the national NHS 10-year plan. This plan aims to reinvent the NHS by shifting care from hospitals to communities, embracing digital technology, and focusing on prevention. Key reforms include the development of Neighbourhood Health Services, a single patient record accessible via the NHS App by 2028, and a greater emphasis on preventative measures such as tackling obesity and reducing alcohol harm. The plan also outlines five enabling reforms: a new operating model for the NHS, enhanced transparency of care quality, workforce transformation, innovation and technology adoption, and financial sustainability.

The implications for Newham include the need for the ICB to restructure, leading to a significant reduction in NHS resources at the place-based level. Discussions also touched upon the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and the potential structure of an 'Integrator' organisation. The Board was asked to note and discuss these updates and their implications for the Newham Health and Care Partnership.

Shaping the Health and Wellbeing Board for Future Opportunities

A discussion was held on reshaping the Health and Wellbeing Board to better meet the opportunities presented by neighbourhood working and changes within the ICB. The context for this discussion is the significant changes within the NHS, including staff and budget reductions, and the ambitious plans outlined in the NHS 10-year plan. The Board was asked to agree to a development workshop in November to review its membership and standing agenda, with a view to agreeing a changed format and membership in January. This aims to ensure the Board is better equipped to deliver impact and effective outcomes in neighbourhood delivery, with particular attention to representation from the voluntary, community and faith sectors, primary care, and prevention services.

HealthWatch Newham Update: Strengthening Community Capacity for Smoking Cessation

HealthWatch Newham presented an update on their work to strengthen community capacity for supporting residents to quit smoking. The programme aims to build capacity within the voluntary, community, and faith sectors to promote stop smoking support and generate high-quality referrals to specialist services. This involves training staff in 'Very Brief Advice' (VBA), enhancing community engagement, and increasing referrals. The focus has been on South Asian communities, particularly men, and older adults accessing adult social care services.

Challenges were noted in engaging faith groups, with outreach efforts proving difficult. However, direct community interaction through stalls at events like the Thrive Together event and Newham Health Fair were more successful. The report highlighted the importance of tailored communication and trusted partnerships, particularly with the Deaf community, where BSL videos and easy-to-read materials were preferred. The project also identified that social norms, family influences, and stress play a significant role in smoking habits within the South Asian community, and that vapes and cigars are increasingly used. The report recommended a broader discussion on the overall approach to stop smoking services, potentially as a larger item at a future meeting, to bring together the full range of strategies and their impacts on different communities.

Newham Health Equity Programme Update: 50 Steps 24/25 Annual Report

The Board received the annual report for 50 Steps to a Healthier Newham for 2024/25. The report highlights significant progress across various areas, including increased participation in mental health services, improved healthy weight outcomes for children, and faster reductions in smoking rates compared to London and England averages. However, areas requiring continued focus include children's healthy weight and oral health, uptake of cancer screening and immunisation, and the prevention of infectious diseases. The report also acknowledges persistent challenges such as food insecurity, fuel poverty, and homelessness.

The Board was asked to approve the annual report, noting the progress made and areas requiring sustained focus. They were also asked to commit to maintaining activity and partnership working across the strategy, prioritising action on outcomes where Newham performs less well than the London average or where outcomes are declining. Key achievements mentioned include an increase in schools achieving Healthy Schools awards, a near tripling of attendance at Newham Recovery College, and exceeding targets for health checks for people with learning disabilities.

Eat Well Newham: Fruit and Veg on Prescription and Eat Well Newham Principles

An update was provided on the Eat Well Newham programme, which aims to address poor nutrition and its link to non-communicable diseases. The programme focuses on shifting emphasis from treating disease to preventing it through targeted health education and early intervention. It integrates actions from the borough's Food Strategy with health improvement priorities. The initiative includes a pilot of a fruit and vegetables on prescription model, funded by the NEL ICB, which provides vouchers for fresh produce to eligible households. This model aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, reduce blood pressure, and improve well-being. The programme also includes monthly sustainability and resilience workshops to help participants maintain healthy behaviours. The report highlighted that 27% of Newham residents have to spend 50% of their disposable income to meet recommended healthy diet guidelines, underscoring the need for interventions addressing food insecurity and deprivation.

Food Security Update: Ensuring the Newham Food Alliance is Crisis Resilience Fund Ready

The Board received an update on the Newham Food Alliance (NFA), a partnership of over 40 organisations working to deliver food security. The NFA supports thousands of households weekly through food banks, food clubs, community hot meals, and holiday activity programmes. The update highlighted the NFA's focus on wrap-around support, a front door for residents to access the most appropriate help, and the maximisation of surplus food.

The report noted upcoming changes with the introduction of a new multi-year Crisis and Resilience Fund from April 2026, replacing the Household Support Fund. This new fund is designed to enable preventative support and end mass dependence on emergency food parcels, aligning closely with the NFA's existing work. The NFA is actively involved in shaping the detailed design of this fund. The presentation outlined how the NFA's approach, including its focus on food clubs and the first we break bread principle of using food as a gateway to wider support, is expected to align well with the new fund's guidance. The Board was asked to note that the NFA and related food security initiatives are well-positioned to meet the conditions of the new funding and continue to maximise strategic outcomes for vulnerable residents.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the date for the next meeting.