Health and Wellbeing Board - Key responsibilities

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

Joint Strategic Needs Assessments looks at the current and future health and social care needs of the area using information collected from different sources.

The Health and Wellbeing Board publishes a local Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

Local Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Health and Wellbeing Board also publishes and delivers a Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy which includes a set of health and wellbeing priority for the area.

Results of this strategy are published in the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Strategy.

The strategies to be agreed currently include:

• children and young people
• mental health and wellbeing
• exercise
• economy and health
• tobacco

These priorities aren't finalised and are subject to further consultation and engagement with local people and interested parties.

Directors of Public Health annual report

Directors of Public Health produce an annual report which tell people about the health of their community, as well as providing necessary information for decision-makers on health gaps and priorities that need to be addressed.

Health and Wellbeing Boards publish this report:

Better Care Fund

The Better Care Fund is a government initiative to support health and social care. 

It requires Integrated Care Boards and local government to agree a joint plan, owned by the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB).

Health and Wellbeing Boards have a duty to endorse and oversee the successful implementation of the Better Care and Improved Better Care Funds.

Disabled Facilities Grant

Disabled Facilities Grants are funded by the Government top help people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes, avoiding the need for care homes or hospitals.

Health and Wellbeing Boards oversee local Disabled Facilities Grants as part of the Better Care Fund.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Health and Wellbeing Boards publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment every 3 years.

This includes population health needs as well as existing pharmacy services currently offered, and whether these meet current and future needs of residents.

NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board

Integrated Care Boards must consult with Health and Wellbeing Boards when planning as part of their terms of reference.

Health and Wellbeing Boards should make sure their plan aligns with the Local Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Last updated 20 November 2023