By Karen Loftus, CAN Chief Executive
CAN Chief Executive Karen sits on the Health & Wellbeing Board for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, representing the VCS. The board meet to discuss major developments shaping health, social care, and community wellbeing across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. The next meeting is 6 October 2025 – want CAN to raise anything on your behalf? Email hello@can100.org
March Health & Wellbeing Board: Highlights
Community Action Network (CAN): Strengthening the Voluntary Sector
A focus on CAN, which supports the voluntary and community sector across Dorset. Key points included:
• CAN provides funding advice, training, and practical support for local charities and voluntary groups.
• The State of the Sector Report revealed growing demand for services but challenges with funding and volunteer recruitment.
• Calls were made for sustainable funding and closer partnership working with public services.
• Over 1,500 volunteers currently support BCP services, playing a critical role in residents’ health and wellbeing.
The Board praised CAN’s contribution, particularly projects like the Trusted Reviewers initiative, which gives communities confidence in local services.
Better Care Fund updates: The Board reviewed two key reports:
2024–25 Quarter 3 Report – Highlighted work to improve hospital discharges, reduce falls, and support independent living at home.
2025–26 Planning Report – Focused on future funding priorities, including the need to balance resources while avoiding duplication of services.
Members agreed on the importance of aligning health, social care, and housing services to create a joined-up approach for residents.
Place-Based Partnerships & Strategy into Action
The Board discussed turning the Health & Wellbeing Strategy into practical action through Place-Based Partnerships.
This approach will:
• Bring health, council, and voluntary sector partners together to tackle local health inequalities.
• Map existing services to avoid duplication and focus on community priorities like reducing falls and improving mental wellbeing.
• Provide regular updates so the Board can help drive measurable impact.
Looking Ahead
Future meetings will include:
• A full Better Care Fund end-of-year report.
• Updates on the Place-Based Partnership strategy.
• A review of public health priorities with the incoming Director of Public Health and Communities.
The Board also noted the imminent launch of the Beach Building at University Hospitals Dorset, part of the area’s ongoing health transformation programme.
Final thoughts
This meeting highlighted how NHS services, councils, and the voluntary sector are coming together to tackle health challenges, strengthen community support, and ensure services meet local needs.
As the Chair summed up: “Collaboration across all sectors is key to improving health and wellbeing for everyone in BCP.”
June Health & Wellbeing Board: Highlights
The Health and Wellbeing Board meeting brought together councillors, health leaders, and partners to discuss big changes in health services, children’s wellbeing, and plans for the future.
New Leadership for the Year Ahead
Councillor David Brown has been elected as the new Chair, with Patricia Miller stepping into the role of Vice Chair for 2025/26.
Integrated Care Board (ICB) major changes ahead
• The NHS Dorset Deputy CEO delivered a major update on the changes facing local health services:
• Big reforms ahead: ICBs across the country face a 50% budget cut and significant job losses. Dorset could lose up to 250 staff.
• Mergers planned: Dorset will form a “cluster” with Somerset and Bath, Swindon & Wiltshire ICBs, moving towards a single ICB by 2027.
• Concerns raised: Risks to local jobs, safeguarding, and children’s services capacity were highlighted, especially with no extra staff to help manage the transition.
• Next steps: The 10-year NHS plan will shape future priorities.
Children & Young People’s Partnership Plan 2025–2030
• A new five-year plan for children and young people was unveiled, shaped with input from local children, young people, and partners.
• Five key priorities will drive action on health, inclusion, green spaces, mental wellbeing, and opportunities for all.
• The plan is simple, accessible, and visually engaging, with performance indicators to track progress.
• Partners across health, education, and councils will embed the plan into everyday work.
Better Care Fund 2024–25: End-of-Year Report
The Board approved the annual report for the Better Care Fund, which integrates health, care, and housing services to support people at home and reduce hospital demand. Key points included:
• Tackling barriers like hoarding to help safe hospital discharges.
• Expanding falls prevention programmes in the community.
• Developing alternatives to hospital admission to keep people safe at home.
Health & Wellbeing Strategy Update
The Board discussed plans to turn strategy into action, focusing on:
• Place-based partnerships to bring services closer to communities.
• Tackling social infrastructure gaps, such as a lack of green spaces and local facilities.
• Taking a whole-family approach so strategies work across all age groups.
• Updates on progress will come to the October meeting.
Looking ahead
Future meetings will cover:
• The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025–2028
• The Community Safety Partnership Annual Report
• New Domestic Abuse Strategies
• A Prevention Strategy for early intervention.
