The Kent Health and Wellbeing Board met on Wednesday, 4th March 2026, to discuss several key areas impacting public health in Kent. Significant discussions included an update on the Public Health Service Transformation Programme, an overview of the NHS 10 Year Plan, and the approval of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for 2025-2028.

Public Health Service Transformation Programme Update

The Board received an update on the Public Health Service Transformation Programme (PHSTP), which began in summer 2023. The programme aims to improve services funded by the Public Health Grant by targeting resources to those most in need, addressing health inequalities, meeting prevention obligations, and ensuring best value. This initiative covers a broad range of mandated and statutory services, from early years health visiting and infant feeding to older people's exercise. The programme has reached its implementation stage, involving procurement, transition to new models, and communication of changes.

Key points discussed included:

• Children and Young People's Emotional Well-being Service: Referrals are accepted via multiple routes, including self-referrals, schools, and system partners. Services are dual-run to avoid gaps, and young people on existing waiting lists are contacted to offer a choice between the current and new service. The transition for young people up to the age of 19 remains a key focus, with services providing mild to moderate support up to age 19 and working closely with Integrated Care Board (ICB) services for older age ranges.
• Smoking Cessation Service: Public Health has received additional grant funding dedicated to smoking, aligned with the national strategy. This enables the commissioning of bespoke services, including an outreach-based, place-focused offer targeting high-prevalence areas such as Swale. Alongside traditional stop-smoking services, Allen Carr's Easyway seminars and a pharmacy-based offer are available.
• Family Hubs and Infant Feeding: Kent County Council (KCC) supports the Family Hub initiative, which has received extra funding to promote Best Start in Life. Family Hubs operate across the county with both physical and virtual delivery. Providers of services such as health visiting and infant feeding are required to deliver from, or be aligned to, Family Hubs. Mrs Palmer, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children's Services, confirmed that Kent has 52 Family Hubs, one of the highest numbers nationally, securing part of £550 million funding through the Family First initiative.
• Neurodiversity Support: School health services support neurodiverse children by providing advice to schools and recognising that mental health and wellbeing are major challenges for young people awaiting assessment. Uptake of counselling and therapeutic services among neurodiverse children is high, and adjustments have been made to improve accessibility, including web chat options. Specific packages of care for parents are also available. All SEND-related services form part of the local offer.
• Adult Weight Management Services: Procurement is live for adult weight management services, with an evaluation underway. The targeted approach is based on needs assessments and learning from previous pilots, aiming for bespoke offers for certain groups. Digital solutions are intended to enhance services, not replace them, by introducing tools such as apps and virtual follow-ups.

The Board resolved to note the information contained within the update report.

Update from the Integrated Care Board on the NHS 10 Year Plan

The Board received an overview of the NHS 10 Year Plan, which focuses on three key shifts: moving NHS service delivery from hospitals into the community, shifting focus from treatment to prevention, and transitioning from analogue to digital. The plan also describes changes to the health system, including larger ICB footprints and a new operating model for the ICP in Kent and Medway.

Key discussions included:

• Neighbourhood Health: This model brings together NHS services, GPs, community health teams, acute hospitals, mental health services, and council services to deliver integrated care locally. Kent has secured a place on a national accelerator and pilot programme in Folkestone and Hythe to test this neighbourhood model.
• Local Government Re-organisation (LGR): Concerns were raised about the potential impact of LGR on the relationship between health services and council-run services. It was emphasised that clarity on how local government and NHS footprints align would be crucial for effective service delivery.
• Faversham Cottage Hospital: Mr Waller advised that steps were being taken to reverse the decision to close Faversham Cottage Hospital, based on patient safety and staffing challenges. The neighbourhood health model will consider the role of beds in such facilities.
• Staff Burnout and Recruitment: The focus is on a domestic supply of healthcare staff, with efforts to ensure newly qualified nurses are placed in productive roles locally.
• Fragmented Care: A key aim of Neighbourhood Health is to bring services together in a more integrated way to improve patient experience and make better use of resources.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Members noted that while the aims of the 10 Year Plan are laudable, delivery faces challenges, particularly due to financial pressures on acute trusts. Breaking down organisational barriers and promoting shared responsibility were highlighted as essential. Mr Waller commented that the 10 Year Plan explicitly referenced the role of Health and Wellbeing Boards in creating neighbourhood health plans.
• Hospital Discharges: Concerns were raised about the loss of step-down and rehabilitation facilities and poor communication between hospitals and care agencies. The importance of early discharge planning and finding the right discharge solution for each individual was emphasised.

The Board resolved to note the update.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028

The Board approved the final 2025-2028 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) and noted that the previously approved PNA process had occurred. The PNA is a statutory document designed to assess the current and future need for pharmaceutical services in Kent over the next three years. It considers the health needs of the Kent population and how these can be met by services commissioned by the NHS.

Key points from the discussion included:

• No Identified Gaps: The PNA concluded that no gaps had been identified in the provision of pharmaceutical services across Kent. This was based on a robust, evidence-based process that considered population needs and financial stability. Monitoring will continue, and supplementary statements will be published as needed.
• Process for Identifying Gaps: Should gaps be identified, the landscape will continue to be monitored, and minor changes addressed through supplementary statements. Significant changes, such as the closure of a pharmacy, would prompt detailed discussions with the ICB.
• Concerns Regarding Closures: Concerns were expressed regarding pharmacy closures, increased queue times, and the ability to meet growing needs, particularly in rural wards. Mr Waller clarified that NHS managed pharmacies and dispensing doctors are contracted and can be acted upon if services fail to meet contractual standards.
• Integrated Care Board (ICB) Role: The PNA is a key document used by NHS England, ICBs, and local authorities to inform commissioning decisions, including market entry decisions to the pharmaceutical list, which are determined by the ICB.

The Board resolved to approve the final 2025-2028 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and note that the previously approved PNA process had occurred.