The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Thursday, 12 March 2026, focused on updates regarding the Richmond Annual Director of Public Health Report, the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the South West London Mental Health Strategy. Key discussions also covered the progress of the Frailty programme and the Board's work programme.

Richmond Annual Director of Public Health Report: Healthy Schools Richmond - 'It Takes a Village'

The Board received an update on the Richmond Annual Director of Public Health Report, presented in a short film format titled 'It Takes a Village'. This report highlights the achievements and impact of the Healthy Schools Programme in Richmond, celebrating the dedication of schools and the wider community in fostering environments that prioritise health and wellbeing. The programme, which builds on a whole-school and community approach, has become a cornerstone for prevention and public health strategies, acting as a vital bridge between education settings and the community. The film format was chosen to engage a broad audience, including children, teachers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders. The programme is currently operating at full capacity, and any expansion would require additional funding or resources. The Board was recommended to note the report and support its further dissemination.

Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy: Live Well Update

An update was provided on the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS), '18 Steps to Health and Wellbeing', which aims to improve residents' health, tackle inequalities, empower communities, and focus on prevention. The third Live Well annual report detailed key activities delivered in relation to long-term conditions, healthy behaviours, and mental health.

Diabetes: The purpose of this step is to increase the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and identify individuals at high risk, supporting them with prevention and care services. The National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) saw 335 referrals in Q1 and Q2 of 2025/26. The 'Health in Your Hands' project supported diabetes prevention in deprived areas, delivering 255 health checks and referring 32 residents for further assessment. Richmond's diabetes mortality rate is lower than the England average, but the estimated prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes is higher.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): The aim is to reduce CVD mortality and morbidity through increased prevention, identification, and treatment pathways. The NHS Health Check Programme completed 3,002 checks between Q1-3 of 2025-26, identifying 48 new cases of hypertension, 11 of Type 2 diabetes, and 30 at high risk of heart attack. The Stop Smoking Service saw 256 people engage and 133 successfully quit between Q1-3, 2025-26. Richmond has the third lowest smoking prevalence in the country, though it remains high among priority populations. The 'Health in Your Hands' project identified 35 residents with previously undiagnosed high blood pressure. Richmond compares better than England for overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity indicators but worse for NHS Health Checks.

Physical Activity & Healthy Eating: The purpose is to reverse the decline in physical activity and encourage more people to be active, with healthy eating being a key component. The Fairer Access Scheme, offering discounts and free access to activities, saw a 76.8% increase in membership from July 2024 to August 2025, reaching 1,182 active members. A Community Sport & Physical Activity Network (CSPAN) was launched in June 2025 to foster collaboration. Plans are in place for significant capital investment in leisure facilities.

Smoking: The ambition is to achieve smokefree status by 2030. Adult smoking prevalence in Richmond is 6.7% (2022/24), significantly lower than the national average and the third lowest in the country. Between Q1-3, 2025-26, 256 people engaged with the Stop Smoking Service, and 133 successfully quit. However, smoking remains high among priority populations, including those with serious mental illness and those in routine and manual occupations.

Alcohol: The aim is to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms by monitoring licence applications and improving access to support services. The number of adults successfully completing alcohol treatment increased from 65 to 94 between September 2023-August 2024 and September 2024-August 2025. Engagement in community-based structured treatment post-prison also increased.

Suicide Prevention: The purpose is to champion suicide prevention and support tailored approaches to improve mental health in high-risk groups. Bereavement support has been embedded in primary care, and integrated support for adults with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse needs has been expanded. 80.6% of adults were seen within 1 hour in A&E in 2024/25, an improvement from the previous year. 90.2% of adults received follow-up within 72 hours of leaving hospital.

South West London Mental Health Strategy Update

An update was provided on the South West London Mental Health Strategy, a five-year plan with ten-year outcomes, now in its third year of implementation. The strategy focuses on four themes: prevention and early support, the bio-psycho-social model, inequalities, and timely access. Key areas of focus for 2025-26 include improving mental health support for children and young people, transforming pathways for adults with severe mental illness (SMI), and strengthening community networks. The strategy aims to eliminate racial inequality in mental health services and reduce the mortality gap between those with SMI and the general population.

Frailty

The Board received an update on the Frailty programme, a priority for neighbourhood health and care development across Richmond and Kingston. The programme aims to deliver the South West London model of frailty, focusing on coordinated, person-centred care guided by patient preferences. Richmond has become one of seven national sites participating in the National Frailty Collaborative, which tests new ways of working and bundles of care. The programme has seen positive outcomes, including reduced hospital admissions for identified frail individuals and improved quality of care in care homes. The report highlighted the importance of a frailty-attuned care approach, requiring a shift in mindset.

Health and Wellbeing Board Work Programme

The Board reviewed its work programme, which outlines planned meetings and seminars. Key upcoming seminars include those on Neighbourhood Health (25 March), Carers (September), and the CYP Charter (November). The Board was encouraged to provide input and identify partners to facilitate these sessions.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Piers Allen, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.