The Committee in Common between Cornwall Health and Wellbeing Board and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Partnership was scheduled to discuss a range of important health and wellbeing strategies and plans. Key topics included an evaluation of the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27, and an annual assurance report on health protection across Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly. The meeting also planned to receive highlight reports from various steering groups focused on different life stages.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Evaluation

The committee was scheduled to consider the findings of an evaluation of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The report highlighted that while some indicators had improved, half of all outcome indicators remained worse than the national average and had worsened over the strategy's lifetime. These included indicators related to deprivation, child poverty, mental health, and long-term conditions. The evaluation recommended a refreshed strategy to align with national policy, system priorities, and updated local evidence, with a proposed strategic direction focusing on prevention, a life-course approach, and strengthening neighbourhood-based delivery. A Task and Finish Group was proposed to oversee the development of the refreshed strategy.

Cornwall's Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27

The meeting was to review Cornwall's Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27, a significant funding stream of approximately £100 million for health and social care services. The plan aimed to support integrated and preventative care, particularly for those with complex needs, and to help people remain independent for longer. Key areas of focus included intermediate care services, admission avoidance, facilitating hospital discharges, and support for carers. The plan proposed a continuation of existing expenditure profiles, aligning with the emergent Neighbourhood Health agenda. Recommendations included approving the plan for submission to NHS England and delegating authority for the submission of quarterly and end-of-year returns.

Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Protection Committee Annual Assurance Report 2024-25

The committee was to be assured that effective health protection arrangements were in place across Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly during 2024-25. The report highlighted responses to various infectious disease pressures, including pertussis, measles, and cryptosporidium outbreaks, supported by multi-agency surveillance. It also detailed performance in screening programmes (bowel, breast, cervical, antenatal/newborn, diabetic eye, and abdominal aortic aneurysm) and immunisation programmes (preschool, school-aged, pregnancy, older adults, flu, and COVID-19). The report noted strengths in many areas but also identified ongoing risks related to C. difficile incidence, vaccine uptake inequalities, and preparedness for climate-related emergencies.

Highlight Report from Life Course Steering Groups and Integrated Commissioning Partnership Group

The committee was scheduled to receive highlight reports from several groups:

• Start Well Steering Group: This group had agreed its priorities and was to review supporting measures. Progress updates on 2025/26 priority outcomes were to be submitted. Key achievements included progress on Mental Health Support Teams in Schools, the publication of a Child Poverty report, the establishment of Family Hub networks, and improvements in permanent exclusion and suspension figures.
• Live Well Steering Group: This group reviewed progress against its 2025/26 priority outcomes and proposed changes, including removing the priority to reduce waiting times for people with learning disabilities or autism due to data limitations, and replacing it with a priority to increase Oliver McGowan training. The Get CIOS Working Plan was published, aiming for a more joined-up approach to work and health. The WorkWell scheme was extended, and a new Work Well Employer Champions initiative was launched.
• Age Well Steering Group: Progress was being made on integrated neighbourhood team models, and work was developing towards the mobilisation of services outlined in the Home Based Prevention and Intermediate Care business case.
• Integrated Commissioning Partnership Group (ICPG): ICPG meetings were to move to a monthly schedule. The development of the Better Care Fund Plan for 2026-27 was in progress, and variations to the Better Care Fund Section 75 agreement were to be enacted for the Home Based Prevention and Intermediate Care and Carers Business Cases.

The committee was asked to receive these highlight reports and the Live Well priority outcomes progress for 2025/26.