Agenda item

The ICB’s Director of Commissioning will be in attendance to present an overview from the North East North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

An overview presentation was delivered by the Director of Commissioning – Neighbourhood Health South (Tees Valley) and the Deputy Director of Neighbourhood Health South, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

The presentation provided an overview on the national and regional context for health and care services for 2026/27, including the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, neighbourhood health guidance, structural changes to Integrated Care Boards, and the development of the ICB’s five year strategic commissioning plan.

Members were informed that the ICB’s strategic direction focused on delivering longer, healthier, and fairer lives, with an emphasis on prevention, tackling health inequalities, and addressing the root causes of poor health. Priority areas highlighted included healthy weight and obesity, alcohol and tobacco dependence, reducing inequalities through Core20PLUS5, long term conditions, and improving health literacy and inclusion.

The presentation outlined the role of Integrated Neighbourhood Health as the central mechanism for transformation, supporting a shift from hospital based care to community based, preventative services. Key areas of focus included primary and community care, mental health services, secondary care transformation, demand management, and urgent and intermediate care services aimed at reducing hospital admissions and supporting timely discharge.

It was highlighted that neighbourhood working was not new in Middlesbrough and that the national neighbourhood health guidance was being used to strengthen and build on existing arrangements rather than introduce a wholly new model. Members were advised that work on integrated neighbourhood health had already been progressed locally, with partners working collectively across organisations and communities. The approach was described as partnership‑led rather than health‑led, with a focus on prevention, enabling people to live well, and designing services fit for the future by building on what was already in place within Middlesbrough.

Members also received an update on work to support children and young people, including maternity services, integrated neighbourhood teams, preventative approaches, and tackling childhood obesity and perinatal mental health.

It was noted that neighbourhood health development was being progressed locally through partnership working, with leadership from the Health and Wellbeing Board, alignment with JSNA priorities, and integration with wider public sector reforms and programmes. Draft neighbourhoods had been developed based on existing communities, and governance arrangements were in place to oversee delivery.

During discussion, Members raised a number of points for clarification. Concerns were expressed regarding access to NHS dentistry in Middlesbrough, and Members were advised that investment was being made to improve urgent dental access, alongside national contractual reform and local commissioning flexibility. Members also queried progress on alcohol, tobacco and vaping, and were advised that this remained a priority area, with work informed by local data and undertaken in close partnership with Public Health.

Clarification was sought on weight management interventions, including the use of weight loss injections, and it was explained that these were commissioned for specific cohorts meeting eligibility criteria, with private provision sitting outside ICB arrangements. Members also highlighted the importance of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children and were reassured that safeguarding was embedded across partnership working and delivered through existing statutory arrangements.

Members further queried how neighbourhood health arrangements would be monitored and evaluated. It was reported that delivery would be phased over 2026–27 and beyond, with outcomes developed locally and progress monitored through existing performance frameworks.

AGREED that the presentation be noted.