The Health and Wellbeing Board of the Isles of Scilly Council met on Wednesday 4 February 2026 to discuss the draft Integrated Care Board (ICB) 5-year plan and provide feedback. The Board also reviewed interim engagement feedback on Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing and discussed the emerging implications of the Health Bill 2026.

Draft Integrated Care Board 5-year plan

The Board reviewed the draft NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 5-year plan, which outlines how the ICB will commission services to improve population health and healthcare over the next five years. The plan is built around three strategic shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. It adopts a life-course approach, setting out ambitions for children and young people (0-24), working-age adults (25-64), and older people (65+).

The Board was asked to provide feedback on the draft plan and confirm that it takes proper account of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the islands. The plan aims to deliver the NHS 10-year plan by shifting care closer to home, utilising new technologies, and focusing on proactive and preventative care. Specific goals include improving support for children with complex needs, reducing out-of-area mental health placements, and optimising care for older people with frailty. The Board was presented with an overview of the alignment between the draft plan and the existing Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which highlighted how the plan supports outcomes such as healthy, safe communities, healthy starts for children, healthy bodies, and healthy minds.

Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing interim engagement feedback

The Board received an update on interim engagement feedback regarding Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing, gathered between 19-20 May 2026. Key issues raised included anxieties about transport costs for off-island residents, difficulties navigating services, health inequalities, and barriers to healthy living. Positive feedback was noted for the minor injuries unit, while complaints were made about patient transport and the expectation of travel to the mainland for consultations that could have been conducted online. The Vice-Chairman, Councillor Euan Rodger (Councillor for St Mary's and Member of the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Panel), highlighted that smoking rates were double the national average and suggested a need for targeted interventions. He also expressed concern about the SWAST communication system on the off-islands, noting patchy mobile coverage and the potential for distress for patients unable to get timely help. The availability of fresh produce in local shops was also raised as an issue.

Lucy Tuson, Director of Experience and Engagement for NHS Devon ICB and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, stated there was a commitment to acting on the feedback and identifying practical next steps, with a desire to maintain open, two-way communication throughout the year. The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Fran Grottick (Councillor for St Marys), agreed that local replacement of Healthwatch's work was needed to achieve this. The Director of Public Health, Kate Ash, suggested that the Integrated Neighbourhood Team could provide a regular agenda slot for the Board to ensure health services were working effectively for residents. She also expressed surprise at the smoking data and indicated a need to investigate further, noting the absence of a dedicated smoking cessation role on the islands. The Board resolved to note the feedback and support continued joint working with partners to review findings and identify next steps for the Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Discussion Paper on the Health Bill 2026

The Director of Public Health presented a discussion paper on the emerging implications of the Health Bill 2026 for the Isles of Scilly. It was noted that the Neighbourhood Health Plan would change working practices and highlighted the importance of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. A further paper on this topic is planned for the future. Councillor Joel Williams (Councillor for St Mary's and Chairman of Council) emphasised the necessity of a strong partnership between the ICB and the Council for success, and inquired whether the Neighbourhood Health and Wellbeing Plan was specific to Scilly or encompassed Cornwall as well. Juliet Ferris, Place Director for West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, clarified that the high-level Neighbourhood Plan covered both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, but the islands would have their own distinct Wellbeing Plan. The Board resolved to note the emerging implications of the Health Bill 2026 and support further work with system partners to assess local implications, with an update to follow once national proposals are clearer.

DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report 2024-2025

Ruth Goldstein presented the DCIoS Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report for 2024-2025. Councillor Euan Rodger expressed satisfaction that the islands' weather resilience challenges were being considered and asked about the approach to measles. Ruth Goldstein explained that while vaccine uptake in Cornwall was relatively good, there were individuals vaccinated in the 1980s and 90s who might now need to check their status due to past fears. She stressed that measles spreads easily and vaccination remains important. The Board was assured that effective health protection arrangements were in place across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly throughout the reporting period.

CIOS SAB Annual Report 2024-2025

Fiona Field presented the CIOS SAB Annual Report for 2024-2025. The Board received and noted the report.

Isles of Scilly: Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27

The Director of People presented the Isles of Scilly: Better Care Fund Plan 2026/27. The Vice-Chairman inquired about how the reduction in long-term residential care, seemingly an aim of the fund, would be measured in 12-18 months and whether value for money was being achieved. The Director of People responded that related metrics would be regularly reported to the Board, and that resident opinions would be collected and considered. The Interim Head of Adult Social Care for Isles of Scilly stated that the fund would be instrumental in driving a continuous effort to reduce average hospital stays and admissions. The Board ratified decisions made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of the Isles of Scilly to approve the submission of the Better Care Fund Plan to NHS England and delegate authority for the submission of quarterly and end-of-year returns.