The West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 26 March 2026 was set to cover a wide range of critical health and wellbeing topics for the region. Key discussions were planned around the progress of the SEND Action Plan, the Better Care Fund, and the refresh of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Additionally, the Board was scheduled to review updates on the Ethical Migrant Worker Charter, women's and girl's health, and the Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland ICB Cluster's commissioning strategy.

Overview of SEND Action Plan Progress

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Action Plan. This plan aims to improve the support and outcomes for children and young people with SEND within West Northamptonshire.

Better Care Fund

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Better Care Fund (BCF). Discussions were planned to cover the BCF Quarter 3 submission for 2025-2026, the guidance for the BCF in 2026-2027, and a review of the current BCF schemes. The BCF is a national initiative designed to improve integration between health and social care services, aiming to support people to live independently and reduce hospital admissions.

Ethical Migrant Worker Charter Update

An update was scheduled on the Ethical Migrant Worker Charter. This initiative aims to ensure that care providers adhere to ethical recruitment practices when employing international workers, safeguarding their welfare and preventing exploitation.

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Refresh

The Board was set to discuss the mid-term refresh of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2023-2028. This refresh aims to ensure the strategy remains relevant to emerging local needs and system priorities, outlining revised delivery actions and highlighting areas requiring strengthened collaboration. The strategy is underpinned by the Live Your Best Life vision, focusing on ten key ambitions for the population of West Northamptonshire.

Women's and Girl's Health

A presentation was scheduled on the topic of women's and girl's health, likely to cover specific health challenges, priorities, and potential interventions relevant to this demographic within the region.

Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland ICB Cluster 5 Year Commissioning Strategy

The meeting was to consider the Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland (LNR) Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cluster's 5 Year Strategic Commissioning Strategy. This strategy outlines long-term priorities for improving population health, reducing inequalities, and ensuring access to high-quality, efficient healthcare across the LNR area over the next five years. It addresses challenges such as an ageing population, widening health inequalities, rising demand for services, and workforce constraints.

Neighbourhood Health Plan

A presentation was scheduled on the Neighbourhood Health Plan. This likely relates to strategies for delivering health services at a local, community level, focusing on integrated care and prevention within specific neighbourhoods.

NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board Annual Report 2025/26

The Board was to review the Health and Wellbeing Strategy section of the NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board's Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/2026. This section is expected to detail the ICB's contribution to the delivery of joint health and wellbeing strategies and outline progress on addressing health inequalities in Northamptonshire.

Health Protection Committee Update

A verbal update was anticipated from the Health Protection Committee, likely covering current health protection priorities, risks, and any relevant actions or recommendations.