Richmond's Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy, 18 Steps to Health and Wellbeing,
is at its midpoint, with a recent review highlighting both significant progress and persistent challenges. The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday, 15 October 2026, to discuss the strategy's mid-term assessment, which revealed positive advancements in areas such as mental health support in schools, climate and air quality initiatives, and frailty programmes.
However, the review also identified ongoing concerns, particularly regarding childhood obesity and adult flu vaccination rates for at-risk groups. The strategy, structured around the themes of Start Well, Live Well,
and Age Well,
is being refreshed to focus future reporting on tangible changes for residents, improvements or worsening of inequalities, and any necessary actions or support required from the Board.
Key risks to the strategy's success include potential changes to the Integrated Care Board's capacity and roles, as well as the ongoing parliamentary review of the Health Bill. The Health Bill, currently being considered in Parliament, proposes changes that may lead to neighbourhood health plans replacing Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategies.
This remains subject to parliamentary scrutiny and any final statutory guidance. The implication for Richmond is that the Board should continue to progress the current JLHWS midpoint review while monitoring the Bill's development, ensuring that existing strategy, JSNA evidence and refreshed reporting arrangements are ready to align with any future neighbourhood health planning requirements.
The South West London ICB is undergoing a formal staff consultation on proposed structures as a result of recent funding cuts, with the change process due to conclude by March 2027. This restructure will result in reduced ICB capacity and loss of key personnel for integrated SEND services. The report emphasizes the need to underline the importance of clear accountability for SEND within the ICB as its new operating model develops and advocate for sufficient capacity to meet the ICBs statutory duties.
New investment in frailty aims to strengthen the entire pathway from prevention to recovery at home. This investment will focus on proactive anticipatory care, hospital discharge, virtual wards and hospital at home, and urgent community response. A new NHS Bridging Service will be introduced, providing short-term support to help people leave hospital sooner. Support through the Age UK Nightingale service will also increase, working with families and carers to help people settle safely back at home. The detailed allocation of this investment is being finalised, though the specific amount of new investment was not mentioned.
The Board acknowledged the complexity of shifting resources from acute to community settings, with a commitment to six-monthly deep dives into neighbourhood work, including financial aspects.
The Board reviewed its work programme, inviting suggestions for future topics. Planned seminars include a session on women's health and a seminar on neighbourhood health scheduled for June 2027. A report item on neighbourhood health is also slated for the January 28th, 2027 meeting. Additionally, a seminar on Targeted Support to Health & Wellbeing Board (Development Session)
is planned for January 13th, 2027. The next meeting is scheduled for 28 January 2027.
