The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, 26 February 2026, was set to cover a wide range of topics aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of Leicestershire's population. Key discussions were expected to focus on the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, including updates on its implementation and proposed amendments, as well as the Better Care Fund and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment programme of work. The Board was also scheduled to receive updates on the clinical strategies of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, and the Integrated Care Board's five-year commissioning strategy.

Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy Update

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) 2022-2032. The Board was scheduled to receive an update on progress related to the Best Start for Life priority, which encompasses the first 1001 critical days for children, school readiness, and preparing for life. This included details on embedding government visions for early years development, integrated early years pathways, and embedding additional checks within public health nursing services. Discussions were also planned regarding breastfeeding support and childhood immunisation coverage.

Furthermore, the Board was to consider proposed amendments to the JLHWS, specifically to the wording of the healthy homes commitment within the Staying Healthy, Safe and Well life course priority. The removal of the term affordable from this commitment was proposed, reflecting areas within the partnership's sphere of influence. An Easy Read version of the JLHWS was also to be presented for approval, alongside the first iteration of the delivery plan.

Better Care Fund Quarter 3 Update

The Board was to receive an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) for Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year. This report would detail performance against BCF metric targets, income and expenditure, and confirm whether the four national conditions for the BCF continue to be met. The report indicated that all national conditions were being met and provided commentary on performance against key metrics such as emergency admissions, discharge delays, and long-term support needs met by residential and nursing care homes.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Programme of Work

An update was scheduled on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) work completed during 2025, which has adopted a revised dashboard-led approach. Proposals were to be presented for establishing a JSNA Steering Group to prioritise and sequence future work. The Board was also to be presented with an updated demography dashboard, relevant to all life course priorities. The JSNA is a crucial process for assessing current and future health and wellbeing needs, underpinning local planning for health and care services and informing the JLHWS.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group Clinical Strategy

The Board was to be provided with an overview of the Group Clinical Strategy (2025-35) from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN). This strategy, shaped through extensive co-creation, aims to address shared challenges such as rising demand, workforce shortages, financial pressures, and quality variation. Key focus areas included ensuring safe and sustainable services, changing how care is delivered for people with frailty and long-term conditions, delivering care in communities and neighbourhoods, improving maternity, neonatal, and children and young people's services, strengthening cancer services, and improving access and reducing waiting times. The strategy aligns with the life course priorities of the JLHWS.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board 5 Year Strategic Commissioning Strategy

An update was to be provided on the ICB's 5 Year Strategic Commissioning Strategy (2026-27 to 2030-31). This strategy aims to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and enhance access to high-quality, efficient healthcare. It aligns with the NHS 10-Year Plan's focus on prevention, neighbourhood-based care, reducing inequalities, and financial sustainability. The strategy identifies three key transformation priorities: Frailty, Preventable Mortality (focusing on cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease), and Children and Young People's Mental Health and Neurodiversity.

NHS Transformation and Transition

The Board was to receive an update on the ongoing transformation and transition of NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). This included information on the development of a new cluster for Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, and Northamptonshire ICBs, aligning with national expectations for ICBs to act as strategic commissioners and reduce running costs. The report outlined proposed new governance arrangements, including a unified leadership team and staffing structure, and detailed the management of change process for staff.

Health and Wellbeing Board Governance

Proposed amendments to the Health and Wellbeing Board's Terms of Reference were to be presented for approval. These included the addition of new Operational Delivery Groups: the CYP Place Based Group and the County Place Based Team. The proposed changes also reflected the reduced representation from the Integrated Care Board due to national restructuring and a reduction in Healthwatch representatives. The Director of Public Health's title was also to be updated to Director of Public Health, Law and Governance.

The meeting was also scheduled to address the date of the next meeting, which was set for Monday, 15 June 2026, at 2:00 pm.