The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 26 January 2026 was set to cover a range of critical public health and safeguarding issues within County Durham. Discussions were planned to include updates on mental health services, the integration of health and social care, and strategies for supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Significant time was also allocated to reviewing annual reports on child and adult safeguarding, as well as the Better Care Fund performance.

Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience

A key focus of the meeting was to provide an update on achievements and challenges in improving the mental health, wellbeing, and resilience of residents in County Durham. The report highlighted a system ambition to reduce self-reported anxiety by 10% by 2034. Achievements noted included the transition to a new Mental Health and Wellbeing System Partnership Board, the roll-out of a Mental Health Gateway across Primary Care Networks, and the launch of a refreshed Suicide Prevention Alliance Action Plan. The report also detailed current challenges such as system instability, increasing demand on services, and identified service gaps, particularly for specialist counselling. Next steps included the full implementation of the new Partnership Board, expansion of Mental Health Support Teams in schools, and the development of a Mental Health Emergency Department.

Transforming Care, Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and Think Autism Strategy Update

This item was scheduled to provide an update on the local delivery and progress of the Transforming Care Programme, including the refresh of the Joint Health and Social Care Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and the Think Autism Strategy for County Durham. The report indicated that County Durham was focused on reducing inappropriate hospital occupancy for people with learning disabilities and autism, aligning with NHS Long Term Plan commitments. Progress on new accommodation-based projects, Whitebeam Gardens and Hawthorn House Bluebell units, was to be discussed, alongside plans for commissioning specialist accommodation and support over the next three years. The report acknowledged increasing complexity in mental health and learning disability services, driven by co-occurring conditions and increased demand.

Better Care Fund 2025-26 Quarter Two Report

The Board was to receive a summary of the Better Care Fund (BCF) 2025-26 Quarter Two performance for County Durham. The BCF is a mandatory policy aimed at promoting integration across health, social care, and housing. The report was expected to detail performance against key metrics, including emergency admissions to hospital for people aged 65+, the average number of days from discharge ready date to discharge, and admissions to long-term residential and nursing care homes for those aged 65+. The report indicated that while expenditure was within tolerance levels, emergency admissions for people aged 65+ were not on track to meet targets, and discharge delays had marginally missed the target. However, performance was positive regarding permanent admissions to residential or nursing care homes.

Child Death Annual Report 2024-2025

This agenda item was to present the 2024-2025 County Durham and Darlington Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) annual report. The report summarises the panel's activity aimed at improving the health, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people. It noted that 39 deaths were notified to the CDOP, with 33 cases reviewed and finalised. Key modifiable factors identified from these reviews included maternal obesity in pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy/household, management of high-risk pregnancies, co-sleeping, poor parenting, and timely access to services. The report highlighted that modifiable factors were identified in 61% of reviewed cases. The Board was asked to note the report and consider any additional actions required related to modifiable risk factors aligned with Board priorities, such as Making smoking history and Enabling Healthy Weight for All.

Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025

The Board was scheduled to receive the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP). The DSCP is established to coordinate safeguarding services and identify and respond to the needs of children in County Durham. The report was expected to provide an overview of multi-agency safeguarding activities, reflecting on practice, learning, and improvements within the local safeguarding system. Key priorities for 2023-2025 included Domestic Abuse, Harm Outside the Home, the First 1001 days, and Mental Health and Wellbeing. The report also outlined new developments for 2025-2026, including finalising an updated Quality Assurance Framework, reviewing referral forms, exploring AI in safeguarding, and strengthening collaboration with various organisations.

Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025

This item was to present highlights from the Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership Annual Report 2024-2025 and share key learning from Safeguarding Adults Reviews. The report indicated a decrease in reported safeguarding concerns and a slight increase in safeguarding enquiries opened compared to the previous year. Key types of abuse identified included neglect, physical abuse, self-neglect, and financial abuse. The refreshed Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 focuses on Reflection and Innovation, Safeguarding Assurance, and Communication and Engagement. Key learning from Safeguarding Adults Reviews concerning Mary, Sarah, and Luke was to be shared, highlighting themes such as improving interactions with vulnerable adults, prevention activity, the use of the Mental Capacity Act, and the importance of staff relationships and information sharing.

Health and Wellbeing Campaigns

The meeting was also scheduled to include a presentation on key campaigns for Summer, Autumn, and Winter 2025. These campaigns were planned to cover Making smoking history, Reducing alcohol harms, Improving mental health, resilience and wellbeing, and Enabling healthy weight for all. Specific initiatives mentioned included Stoptober, Alcohol Awareness Week, World Suicide Prevention Day, and activities related to healthy weight and breastfeeding.