The Integrated Meeting of Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards reviewed progress on long-term conditions, mental health initiatives, and the Better Care Fund. Decisions were made to approve the Better Care Fund year-end report and note the 2026/27 plan, while also endorsing the refresh of the Promoting Wellbeing workstreams and the approach to updating the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

Long Term Conditions Strategy and NEL Outcomes Framework

The Boards were asked to endorse the Waltham Forest Long-Term Conditions (LTC) Strategy and provide steer on the delivery of the draft North East London (NEL) LTC Outcomes Framework. The strategy, developed in response to a data deep dive, aims to prevent, detect, and manage long-term conditions, with a focus on four key areas: prevention and early detection, improved treatment and management, pathway development and integration, and proactive care and self-management. The NEL framework seeks to deliver a consistent, outcomes-driven model of care to improve population health, reduce inequalities, and support financial recovery. The strategy acknowledges the significant impact of LTCs, with approximately 97,000 residents diagnosed with a condition and over 40,000 managing multiple conditions. Specific commitments are outlined for chronic respiratory conditions, cardiometabolic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease), and comorbidities, with measurable indicators for each. The strategy also highlights the importance of addressing wider determinants of health, such as housing and employment, and identifies specific groups at higher risk of health inequalities. The Boards were asked to support future engagement plans and ensure partner organisations nominate lead collaborators and assume ownership of actions.

Promoting Wellbeing Update

An update was provided on the Promoting Wellbeing workstream, which aims to advance preventative approaches and reduce health inequalities through collaboration between the local authority, NHS, and voluntary and community sector partners. The report detailed progress across five priority areas: strengthening partnerships with the voluntary and community sector (VCS), the Borough of Sanctuary initiative, employment and health, housing and health, and mental health promotion. Key achievements included the transition of the VCS Leadership Group to the Waltham Forest Health & Wellbeing Alliance, progress on the Borough of Sanctuary action plan, and the scaling up of the 'Connect to Work' employment support service. The Board welcomed the proposed refresh of the Promoting Wellbeing workstreams, with a workshop planned for September 2026 to review progress, learn lessons, and align future priorities with the evolving health and care landscape. The importance of resident involvement, transparency, and strengthening connections with the Better Care Fund and neighbourhood health arrangements were emphasised. The Board supported the proposed refresh and endorsed the continuation of the Young Black Men's Mental Health Programme as a strategic priority.

Update on the Mental Health of Black Boys and Young Men Programme

An update was presented on the project aiming to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Black boys and young men in Waltham Forest. The project brings together partners from across the Council, NELFT, and the voluntary and community sector, with a focus on developing a community-centred, non-hierarchical, transparent, and inclusive approach. The recruitment of the Board was complete, with the first meeting scheduled for 16th April 2026. The report detailed the five workstreams identified: Education and School Exclusions; Support for Parents and Families; Mentoring and Role Models; Access and Quality in Mental Health Services; and Mental Health Promotion and Prevention. Opportunities identified include exploring representation in the teaching workforce and potential expansion of partnerships with Waltham Forest College. The project has also shaped and launched the latest iteration of Community Chest funding for projects addressing the mental wellbeing of Black boys and young men.

Better Care Fund Update

The Board received an update on the Better Care Fund (BCF), including the year-end report for 2025/26 and the final version of the BCF plan for 2026/27. The Board approved the 2025/26 year-end report and noted the 2026/27 plan. Authority was delegated to designated Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) for future BCF submissions where national deadlines do not align with Board meeting dates. The report highlighted strong performance against priority areas, with targets for non-elective admissions and residential admissions exceeded. Key successes included the formalisation of discharge workstreams and the positive impact of the Community Palliative Advice and Support Service (COMPASS). Challenges noted were the collapse of NRS Healthcare, impacting integrated community equipment services, and growing demand and complexity of need. The Board discussed the alignment of the BCF with emerging neighbourhood health arrangements, emphasising the importance of supporting neighbourhood-based models of care and integrating VCS activity. The development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and the role of primary care were also discussed.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Joe McDonnell, Director of Public Health, introduced the report on the refresh of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA is a statutory responsibility of the Health and Wellbeing Board and aims to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, inform local decisions, and provide commissioning priorities. The proposed phased approach includes producing a new, live, reproducible JSNA by the end of 2027, with detailed plans developed by October 2026. The existing Population Health and Data Group will serve as the JSNA Steering Group. The Board welcomed the proposed approach, emphasising the importance of ensuring emerging findings inform the Neighbourhood Health Plan and highlighting the need for improved intelligence on carers, dementia, frailty, and transitions into adult services. The potential for thematic JSNAs, including a focus on global majority communities, and the meaningful incorporation of community voices were also discussed. The Board supported maintaining the JSNA as a workstream within the Population Health and Data Group.