The Health Improvement Partnership Board meeting scheduled for 19 February 2026 was set to discuss a range of public health priorities, including performance reports, updates on healthy weight initiatives, physical activity programmes, and the delivery of the county's food strategy. The meeting's agenda also included a report from the Healthwatch Ambassador.

Performance Report

The board was scheduled to receive a performance report presented by Kate Holburn, Consultant in Public Health and Interim Deputy Director at Oxfordshire County Council. This report would have provided an update on key performance indicators related to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2030, focusing on priorities such as healthy weight, smoke-free initiatives, alcohol-related harm, physical activity, active travel, and mental wellbeing. The report detailed the latest available data and trends for various indicators, with a breakdown of performance against targets and commentary on influencing factors. For instance, the report indicated that Year 6 prevalence of overweight and obesity was at 30.5%, which was within tolerance, while Reception age prevalence was at 20.5%, exceeding the target. Smoking prevalence in adults had dropped to 7.5%, a statistically significant decrease and the lowest recorded. Alcohol-related harm indicators remained significantly above target, although successful alcohol treatment completion had increased.

Report from Healthwatch Ambassador

Katharine Howell, Healthwatch Oxfordshire Ambassador, was scheduled to present an update on the organisation's activities. This would have included insights from recent surveys and community research, such as a survey on end-of-life care experiences and a report on the experiences of trans and non-binary people with GP services. A significant report on digital healthcare and the NHS app, based on feedback from over 800 people, was also to be shared, highlighting both its usefulness and the challenges some users faced. Ongoing community research projects, including work with South Asian women on cancer screening and people in temporary accommodation on food access, were also on the agenda.

Whole Systems Approach to Healthy Weight Update

Derys Pragnell, Consultant in Public Health, and Claire Gray, Health Improvement Practitioner, were due to present an update on the Whole Systems Approach to excess weight. This report focused on the Prevention pillar of the strategy, highlighting the complex causes of excess weight and the need for a comprehensive approach. It detailed trends in Oxfordshire, including the significant number of pregnant women with a BMI of 30 or over, and provided data on children's weight prevalence from the National Childhood Measurement Programme. The report also outlined national government plans to positively impact children's health and food, such as uplifts to Healthy Start payments and updates to Healthy School Food Standards. The report detailed progress on recommendations from a Health Needs Assessment, covering areas from antenatal support to early years interventions and school-based programmes.

Physical Activity Update

Sal Culmer-Shields, Head of Healthy Active Children at Active Oxfordshire, and Francess Burnett, Public Health Registrar, were scheduled to provide an update on physical activity. The report emphasised the significant health benefits of physical activity, noting that inactivity is linked to a range of chronic diseases and costs the UK billions annually. It outlined the Chief Medical Officers' recommendations for adults and children, and discussed the barriers to being active, including personal, social, cultural, and environmental factors. The report presented Oxfordshire data from the Active Lives Survey, showing that 70% of adults met the recommended physical activity guidelines, while 32.5% of children were classed as inactive. The report also highlighted inequalities in physical activity, with older adults, people in deprived areas, and those with disabilities being at higher risk of inactivity. A Physical Activity Health Needs Assessment identified key priorities, including declining activity levels in children and older adults, and gaps in swimming provision.

Delivery of the Food Strategy - Education Programmes and Activities

Caroline Welch, Project Lead for Good Food Oxfordshire, was set to present on the delivery of the food strategy. Good Food Oxfordshire acts as the backbone organisation for Oxfordshire's food system, aiming to ensure everyone in the county has the food they need to thrive. The presentation would have covered the development of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy and local Food Action Plans, which focus on tackling food poverty, building vibrant food communities, growing the local food economy, strengthening local supply chains, and improving institutional catering. Key achievements highlighted included training for professionals on food poverty, engagement with the Healthy Start Programme, and the mapping of cooking venues. The strategy also aimed to support communities in growing, cooking, and enjoying food together, promoting campaigns and events that enable access to healthy food, reduce food waste, and encourage dietary choices beneficial for health and the planet.

The meeting also included a break and time for Any Other Business (AOB).