The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 12 February 2026 was set to cover a range of important topics, including an update on children and young people's mental health services, plans for dementia support, and the ongoing work programme for the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. Discussions were also scheduled regarding acute resuscitation (CPR) and the council's overall work programme and outstanding matters.

Bromley Children and Young People's Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Core Services Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on the core services for children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing in Bromley. This included a review of services provided by Bromley Y and Oxleas CAMHS. The report detailed referral numbers, reasons for referrals, and caseloads for both organisations. For Bromley Y, it was noted that general anxiety was the most common reason for referrals, with a significant increase in the caseload for the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Support (MHEWS) team. The report highlighted the use of digital support platforms like Xyla and Silvercloud to help manage waiting lists and provide interventions, with positive outcomes reported for anxiety and depression symptoms. Oxleas CAMHS reported a slight decrease in caseload but noted an increase in the complexity of presentations. The update also covered waiting times for assessments and treatment across different CAMHS pathways, with a consistent 100% of crisis referrals being seen within seven days. The report indicated that these services align with the Making Bromley Even Better priorities, aiming to ensure children and young people thrive and that resources are managed effectively.

Dementia Support

The board was scheduled to discuss dementia support in Bromley, following a gathering held on 29 April 2025 with local dementia support groups. The agenda for this discussion item included reviewing the existing ecosystem of dementia support in Bromley, considering improvements in sharing ideas and best practices, and exploring how to highlight the borough's achievements to gain recognition and potential resources. The discussion was also set to consider how the existing support network could be a resource for developing future innovations to enhance the wellbeing of individuals living with dementia and their carers. Specific points raised in the previous gathering included the potential for Amazon to launch a dementia-friendly initiative, Dementia Action Week events, and the development of a Dementia Friendly Village in Chislehurst. Challenges such as keeping the council's list of dementia groups up-to-date and ensuring accessibility for rural communities and ethnic minorities were also noted.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Work Programme

The board was to be informed about the proposed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Workplan for 2026-2028. The JSNA is a statutory requirement that informs strategic planning and commissioning decisions across health and social care services in Bromley. The report outlined that the workplan would be co-produced with various stakeholders, including Adult Social Care, Children's Social Care, Housing, Environment, Education, and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Key planned JSNA chapters include those on Children and Young People, Obesity, and Contraception, all scheduled for publication in June 2026. Updates to the Mortality and Morbidity and Demography chapters are planned for 2028. The report also detailed the governance structure and process for developing the JSNA, emphasizing a collaborative approach and the role of Public Health Intelligence Teams and topic experts. The JSNA aims to identify health inequalities and inform the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Discussion Item: Acute Resuscitation (CPR)

A discussion was scheduled regarding acute resuscitation (CPR). The board was asked to consider further actions within the borough, focusing on promoting awareness of defibrillator locations and user apps, encouraging community training, and reinforcing the message that anyone can use the equipment in an emergency. The discussion was also to consider the sufficiency of current advice on managing bleed-out situations. Points raised in preparation for this discussion included the upcoming inclusion of CPR as a compulsory element of driving tests from 1 January 2026, the challenge of locating defibrillators, and the need for their maintenance. The availability of free first aid training through the voluntary sector and online training resources were also to be considered.

Matters Outstanding and Work Programme

The board was to review its work programme for the upcoming meetings and consider progress on matters outstanding from previous meetings. The report provided an update on actions from past meetings, including the dissemination of information on eligible vaccination groups, responses regarding hospital bed management and 12-hour breaches, and the circulation of the Bromley Outbreak Management Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). An ongoing matter related to an update on the closure of a pharmacy in Mottingham was also noted, with the department awaiting a response from NHS England. The work programme for the February and April 2026 meetings was also presented, outlining upcoming reports and discussion items.

Annual Public Health Report

The board was scheduled to receive the Annual Public Health Report. This report typically provides an overview of the health and wellbeing of the borough's population and highlights key public health achievements and challenges.

Questions on the Health and Wellbeing Board Information Briefing

Members of the board were also to address questions regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board Information Briefing. This briefing comprised updates on the Better Care Fund Performance for Quarter 3 of 2025-26 and the Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Action Plan.