Issue - meetings

To receive the Health & Wellbeing Strategy Progress Report.

The Consultant in Public Health introduced the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Progress Report, stating that this was a standing item introduced following the last Board meeting in June 2023, in order to provide Members with an update on delivery progress of each priority within the strategy over the last quarter.

The Consultant in Public Health highlighted that a wide range of progress had been made against the priorities, including the launch of Family Hubs, the schools health and wellbeing programme and a number of blood pressure testing events that had taken place. Continuing the intelligence-led approach to the strategy, the Consultant in Public Health informed the Board that research into healthy weight, violence against women and girls and alcohol and drug use had been carried out and continued to inform future programmes of work. At a place-based level, Members heard that both a new domestic abuse service and an alcohol and drugs forum had been launched, in addition to continued training across the partnerships.

The Board were informed that there were a number of emerging risks and challenges related to funding, and the sustainability of that funding, staff capacity and partnership engagement when addressing health inequalities. The Consultant in Public Health stated that though the challenges were unlikely to change, closing the inequalities gap remained a central priority.

During the discussion, Members highlighted the importance of aligning the Board's agenda with that of the Integrated Care Board and place boards in order to allow for a targeted discussion around specific inequalities to take place. Members of the Board thanked the Consultant in Public Health for their report and noted the delivery progress of the Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2023- 2028.