The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for 19 March 2026 was set to cover a broad range of critical public health issues, including strategies for improving population health and equity, detailed assessments of adult mental health needs, and an examination of residents' experiences with adult social care. The board was also scheduled to discuss ongoing partnership developments, initiatives to address racial trauma and promote Black health equity, and the progress of community engagement programmes.

Next Steps in Partnership Development for City and Hackney

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the evolving partnership structures for City and Hackney. This discussion was intended to explore how the Health and Wellbeing Board can integrate into a revised governance model for the Place Based Partnership. The report highlighted the transition of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to a NEL-wide strategic commissioning organisation, meaning there will no longer be a health commissioning function at a place-based level. Places are expected to focus on delivery and develop Neighbourhood Health Plans. The discussion was set to consider how to ensure a strong link between the Health and Wellbeing Board and the health and care partnership, embed a focus on health inequalities, and meaningfully incorporate the resident voice.

Committing to Collective Action: A Vision and Proposal for Improving Population Health, Prevention and Health Equity in City and Hackney

This item was scheduled to seek agreement on a unified vision for population health in City and Hackney, outlining the necessary actions and resources. The report proposed the establishment of a cross-partnership 'Institute for Change' to integrate and scale up enabling functions crucial for systemic population health improvement. This initiative aims to embed population health, prevention, and equity as core operating principles across all partnership organisations, building on existing work and addressing health inequalities. The discussion was intended to secure commitment from partners to achieve this vision and to consider the resources required.

Adult Mental Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

The board was scheduled to consider the findings of the Adult Mental Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). This comprehensive assessment collates evidence on mental health needs, services, inequalities, and service user experiences within City and Hackney. The report detailed the local prevalence of mental health conditions, highlighting significant inequalities across gender, age, ethnicity, and deprivation. It also provided an overview of local mental health services, including commissioned services like the Wellbeing Network and Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression, as well as services provided by the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT). The assessment aimed to increase stakeholder awareness of local challenges and inform service planning and resource allocation.

Experiencing Adult Social Care in Hackney: Initial Findings from a Mystery Shopping Exercise

This agenda item was to present the findings of a mystery shopping exercise conducted by Healthwatch Hackney, in collaboration with Adult Social Care. The exercise aimed to understand residents' experiences when seeking support from Adult Social Care, focusing on the 'Front Door' service, access routes, and safeguarding referrals. The report was intended to highlight systemic gaps in processes and communication that can leave residents feeling unsupported. The findings were to be used as a baseline to evaluate future improvements in resident experience and service transformation. Key themes expected to be discussed included access and digital information, phone access, triage processes, the quality of needs assessments, safeguarding practices, consistency and transparency, and accessibility and equality considerations.

Hackney Thinking Spaces

The board was scheduled to receive an update on Phase 2 of Hackney Thinking Spaces, a programme commissioned in response to the impact of systemic racism on the mental health and wellbeing of Black and Global Majority children, young people, and families. Phase 1 established a Community Advisory Board (CAB) which developed recommendations focused on improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening community voice, and enhancing system responsiveness. Phase 2 aims to embed these recommendations within mainstream delivery and strengthen partnership accountability. The discussion was intended to seek cross-system support and clarity of ownership to progress priority actions and align delivery with the Health & Wellbeing Strategy and neighbourhood partnership working.

Black Health Legacy

This item was to raise awareness of the Black Health Legacy research programme and seek endorsement for its expansion in Hackney. The programme addresses the significant under-representation of Black communities in health research, which perpetuates health inequalities. A key discovery highlighted was the impact of G6PD deficiency on the accuracy of HbA1c blood tests used for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment for Black individuals. The discussion was intended to encourage system partners to contribute to the programme and position Hackney as a leader in inclusive health research. The board was asked to support Hackney formally partnering with Black Health Legacy, encourage system partners to contribute, and consider further research into the equitable diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in Black people.