The Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board was scheduled to discuss key strategies and updates concerning the borough's health and social care landscape. Topics included the priorities and achievements of the Connection Coalition in tackling loneliness, the proposed Safeguarding Adults Board Strategy for 2025-2030, an update on the Better Care Fund for 2025-26, and progress on the Mental Health Strategy.

Connection Coalition Priorities and Achievements

The Board was scheduled to consider the achievements of the Connection Coalition in the 2025/2026 financial year and its priorities up to 2027. The Connection Coalition aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation, which affects approximately one in ten residents in Tower Hamlets and is a known risk factor for poorer physical and mental health. This work aligns with the Borough-wide Strategic Plan 2025-2035 and is a Mayoral and Corporate Equalities priority. The report outlined a 2025-2027 Action Plan focusing on five key areas: system-wide integration, raising awareness of social connection services, building the capacity of the voluntary and community sector, improving impact measurement, and collaborating with the Tackling Poverty Team. The Just Say Hello campaign, launched in January 2026, was highlighted as a key initiative to reach residents aged 50 and over.

Safeguarding Adults Board Strategy 2025-2030

A new Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Strategy for 2025-2030 was scheduled for consideration. This strategy follows the expiry of the previous plan and places a particular focus on five key areas: homelessness, safety from domestic abuse, transitional safeguarding, tackling inequalities, and strengthening partnership working. The report highlighted that the SAB has a statutory duty under the Care Act 2014¹ to coordinate and ensure the effectiveness of adult safeguarding across the locality. The strategy aims to address identified gaps and weaknesses, responding to emerging risks and opportunities to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect. The strategy also acknowledges the diverse population of Tower Hamlets, noting that certain groups, such as older adults and those with dementia, may be at greater risk of specific forms of abuse.

Better Care Fund Update 2025-26

The Board was to receive an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025-26, noting that this year represents a transition period in preparation for national reforms and emerging Neighbourhood Health guidance. The BCF is expected to increasingly support integrated neighbourhood teams and community-based care. The report indicated that Tower Hamlets is on track against core BCF metrics, particularly concerning hospital discharge, but highlighted the need to review discharge, intermediate, and community care pathways. A deep dive into existing BCF schemes was underway to inform planning for 2026-27, with a focus on discharge-related schemes and those supported by the Additional Discharge Fund. The review of the North East London (NEL) BCF also highlighted that a significant proportion of BCF funding is tied up in core community block contracts, limiting flexibility.

Mental Health Strategy Update and Project Initiation

An update on the Adults Mental Health Strategy was scheduled, including proposals for its scope and governance. The previous strategy expired in 2024, and the development of a new one was delayed to incorporate recent data on Serious Mental Illnesses. The report noted that the prevalence of common and severe mental illness in Tower Hamlets is higher than regional averages, with significant inequalities persisting for specific communities, such as Asian women and Black men. The strategy aims to address systemic challenges, promote a joined-up partnership approach, and scale up existing initiatives. The report also considered the impact of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) restructure on system leadership and governance for the Mental Health Strategy, and discussed aligning the adults' strategy with the existing Children's Accelerate! Strategy, potentially through the adoption of the THRIVE framework².