The Merton Health and Wellbeing Board's meeting on 11 November 2025 was scheduled to cover a range of public health priorities, including updates on preventative actions, safeguarding reports for both children and adults, and specific strategies for addressing behavioural risk factors and the harms caused by alcohol and drugs. The meeting also included provision for verbal updates on pharmaceutical needs, lived experience in public health, and preparations for future discussions on strong communities.

Focus on Prevention Actions Overview and Dashboard Indicators

The Board was scheduled to receive updates on actions 1, 4, 5, and 6 from the Focus on Prevention priority of the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030. These actions include utilising existing and new delivery plans to implement preventative approaches aligned with the Merton Local Health and Care Plan, raising awareness of vaccination benefits, committing to prevention being everyone's business through initiatives like Making Every Contact Count, and working in partnership to prevent, reduce, and delay the need for adult social care. The report pack indicated that the Board was asked to note these updates.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided regarding the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

Merton Safeguarding Children Annual Report

The Board was scheduled to receive an overview of the Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP) Annual Report for the period April 2024 to March 2025. This report details the work undertaken by statutory partners and relevant agencies to safeguard children and promote their welfare, outlining the effectiveness of these arrangements. The report covers the delivery of statutory responsibilities, progress on MSCP Business Plan priorities such as domestic abuse, mental health and wellbeing, early intervention, contextual safeguarding, and neglect, as well as training activities and themes emerging from scrutiny, reviews, and audits.

Merton Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The meeting agenda included a review of the Merton Safeguarding Adults Board (MSAB) Annual Report for 2024/25. This report provides an overview of the MSAB's work to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect, detailing strategic priorities such as prevention and early detection, making safeguarding personal, building and strengthening connections, and quality assurance. The report also includes analysis of safeguarding data and outlines the progress made on the MSAB's commitments.

Action 2: Addressing Behavioural Risk Factors

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on Action 2 of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy's Focus on Prevention priority. This action aims to place a strong emphasis on addressing behavioural risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, alcohol use, and physical inactivity, while promoting mental wellbeing. The update was expected to focus on equity in services and supporting those at higher risk of poor health.

Action 3: Tackling Harm from Alcohol and Other Drugs

An update was scheduled on Action 3 of the Focus on Prevention priority, which centres on maintaining a multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling the physical, mental, and societal harm caused by alcohol and other drugs. This update was to be informed by the 2024/25 Annual Public Health Report, Tackling Drugs Together, and was expected to cover progress on the report's recommendations.

Lived Experience and Voice in Public Health

A verbal update was planned to be provided on the role of lived experience and the voice of the public in public health initiatives.

Strong Communities Highlights

The meeting was also scheduled to include a verbal update on highlights related to Strong Communities, in preparation for the next meeting.