• Health and wellbeing boards have key role to play in bringing partners together around shared priorities
• New briefing includes case study examples of good practice around the country
• Case studies show a commitment towards genuine whole-system leadership to redesign healthcare for its users

The relationship between health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) and NHS providers is essential if health outcomes in local populations are to be truly improved. This new briefing highlights some of the methods that health and wellbeing boards are using to systematically and effectively engage with NHS providers and the wider provider community, and also presents some key learning from areas where genuine partnership working is leading to improved health outcomes in local areas.

Local relationships are now more important than ever

Miriam Deakin, head of policy, NHS Providers, said:

“In the context of the new sustainability and transformation plans, local relationships are now more important than ever. The creation of health and wellbeing boards to drive closer working and integration between the NHS, social care and public health is key to bringing together different partners to discuss the challenges ahead and agree shared priorities.

“This briefing, co-produced by the LGA, NHS Providers and NHS Improvement, highlights the importance of effective engagement between health and wellbeing boards and local NHS providers and offers some short case studies exploring the different approaches that have helped to build more collaborative relationships focused on meeting local health priorities.”

“We were pleased to work with the Local Government Association and NHS Improvement on this briefing. We hope this work is useful to our members and their partner organisations locally.”