The Oxfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board met on 12 March 2026 to discuss a range of critical public health and wellbeing issues. Key decisions included agreeing to request the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate mental health services, noting progress on the Age Well priorities within the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and supporting the dissemination of a new toolkit for developing Community Insight Profiles.

Update on Mental Health Motion

The Board agreed to request the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) to investigate mental health services. Councillor Jane Hanna, Chair of the JHOSC, presented an update on the committee's scrutiny of children's mental health and SEND services. She highlighted that while progress had been made, significant challenges remained, including workforce capacity, the impact of organisational change, and the complexity of national policy requirements. The JHOSC's findings indicated a need for greater clarity on local flexibility and sustained, long-term funding for children's services. The committee also emphasised the importance of strengthening the voice of children and families within the system.

Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Health Plan

The Board noted the ongoing work to develop the Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Health and Care Plan. Michelle Brennan, an Oxfordshire GP representative, outlined the national policy context and Oxfordshire's proposed approach, which identified 15 neighbourhoods based on Primary Care Network footprints. The plan's priorities include proactive care for frailty and complex needs, improved management of long-term conditions, and integrated support for children and young people. The Board discussed the tension between organisational and place-based definitions of neighbourhoods, raising concerns about rural geography, transport, and accountability. The Chair summarised that while the direction of travel was supported, further refinement, engagement, and clarity were needed.

Health & Wellbeing Strategy Update - Age Well

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Care, and Isabel Rockingham, Head of Joint Commissioning for Age Well, presented an update on priorities 5 and 6 of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on maintaining independence for older people and strengthening social relationships. The report highlighted progress in supporting older people at home, with increased care hours and the use of extra care housing. It also noted that Oxfordshire's performance in preventing permanent care home admissions compared favourably nationally. However, areas of concern included falls-related hospital admissions and dementia diagnosis rates. The report also proposed amendments to the shared outcome metrics. The Board noted the progress and agreed to the proposed amendments to the metrics.

Safer Oxfordshire Partnership Annual Report

Rob MacDougall, Director of Community Safety and Chair of the Safer Oxfordshire Partnership, presented the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Agreement. He explained that CSPs are responsible for reducing crime, tackling anti-social behaviour, and protecting vulnerable people, objectives closely linked to health and wellbeing. The report detailed how CSP priorities are developed using local intelligence and national assessments, with the Safer Oxfordshire Partnership providing a county-wide strategic framework. The intersection of community safety and health was emphasised, with domestic abuse, substance misuse, and unsafe environments identified as drivers of health inequality. The Board noted the activities and outcomes of the Safer Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Strategic Boards.

Director of Public Health Annual Report

Ansaf Azhar, Director of Public Health, presented the 2025/26 Director of Public Health Annual Report. He highlighted that the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation data showed Oxfordshire had become relatively less deprived overall since 2019, with several previously most deprived wards showing improvement. He attributed this progress to sustained, partnership-led effort and the Community Insight Profile approach, which combines data with lived experience. The report is now presented in an interactive, web-based format to enhance accessibility. The Board noted and considered the report and supported its interactive format.

Community Insight Profile Toolkit

Ansaf Azhar, Fiona Ruck (Health Improvement Practitioner), and Kate Austin (Public Health Principal) presented the Community Insight Profile Development Framework (CIPs Toolkit). This toolkit captures learning from years of place-based work and provides a step-by-step guide for developing local insight profiles and action plans. Tom Gubbins, Wellbeing Manager for Cherwell District Council, shared Cherwell's positive experience using the profiles and piloting the toolkit, which had led to numerous projects and influenced wider place-shaping decisions. The Board noted the toolkit as a legacy product and supported its dissemination and use.

Marmot Update

Kate Holburn, Deputy Director of Public Health, and Dr Jessica Allen from the Institute of Health Equity presented an update on the Marmot programme. Dr Allen highlighted significant inequalities in early years development, educational outcomes, and access to services, particularly in rural areas. The Board noted the progress made through the Marmot programme and the partnership with the Institute for Health Equity, and acknowledged the need to embed accountability further through upcoming reports on maternity, babies, children and young people, rural inequalities, and fair employment.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update

Barbara Shaw, Chair of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, provided an update on the organisation's recent activities, including gathering insight from rural communities and completing a How To community research toolkit. The Board noted the Healthwatch Oxfordshire Report.

Update on the future of an independent patient voice

Omid Nouri, Health Scrutiny Officer, presented a report on the establishment of a working group to explore future models for an independent patient voice in Oxfordshire, following the impending abolition of Healthwatch. The Board agreed to formally establish the working group, explore and evaluate models for a future independent patient voice function, and delegate the power to commission a public engagement exercise. They also agreed to receive an update on the likely future independent voice function.

Reports from Partnership Boards

District Councillor Georgina Heritage provided an update from the Health Improvement Board, and Councillor Sean Gaul presented an update from the Children's Trust Board, seeking agreement for the Board to oversee the Best Start in Life plan. The Board noted the partnership board updates.

Forward Work Plan

The Board agreed the forward work plan for future meetings.