Start Well | Live Well | Age Well

June 2025

Introduction

Wandsworth – Our Health and Care Plan 2025-27

The Wandsworth Health & Care Plan 2025-2027 outlines the vision, priorities and actions to meet the health and care needs of local people, as well as to deliver improvements in their health and wellbeing throughout the course of life stages, categorised as; Start well, Live well and Age well. It is the two-year delivery plan linked to the Wandsworth Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) 2024-2029.

This is a refreshed plan, which is an update of the Wandsworth Health & Care Plan 2022-24. Health, social care, public health, voluntary, community organisations and residents across Wandsworth have helped to develop the plan, building on the positive achievements from the 2022-24 plan. The 2025-27 plan is very much a continuation of preceding initiatives, building those foundations and adapting to the current needs of the local population.

The plan represents; an ongoing shared commitment to working together, focusing on where we can add value and have the greatest impact. We share the responsibility to work collaboratively as part of an Integrated Care System; to prevent ill health, keep people well and support them to stay independent.

Our Community

Population

Wandsworth has a population of 334,103 (according to 2024 data).

Local People

Wandsworth has the second largest population in Inner London and among the youngest populations in London and the country (33 years).

The largest ethnic group in Wandsworth is White British. Almost 1 in 3 identify as Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, a lower proportion than the average for London and Inner London. The Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic population is younger with a higher proportion of children and fewer older people. Wandsworth children’s population is 45% Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, compared to 30% in the whole population.

Life Expectancy

In general, people in Wandsworth live longer than the national average; however, life expectancy at birth and at 65 years of age tend to be higher in other London boroughs. Females in the borough live 3.6 years longer than males, but a recent decline in healthy life expectancy in women sees them spending longer in poor health than previously and spending longer in poor health than men.

Variations in life expectancy across the borough are driven by inequalities between more deprived and less deprived areas. These are most evident in the 60 to 79 age group and are mainly driven by cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Wards

Latchmere and Roehampton and Putney Heath are the two most deprived Wards in Wandsworth. This is in stark contrast to four least deprived Wandsworth’s Wards (East Putney, Balham, Thamesfield and Northcote).

Wandsworth performs well compared to other London boroughs for most indicators such as low pay, unemployment, and poverty. Only 11% of employed residents earn less than the London Living Wage – the joint lowest percentage in London. The unemployment ratio is the second lowest in London, at 3.5%. Additionally, the borough’s poverty rate of 22% is below the London average of 27%.

For more information you can visit the following website, which gives links to key health and wellbeing board plans and strategies, including the joint strategic needs assessment – a study performed by local authorities and health organisations to understand the health and social care needs of our communities.

Our Vision

For Wandsworth to be a place where people are supported to live healthy, fulfilling lives in thriving communities.

We will work together to make a difference to the people of Wandsworth to ensure everyone:

• Has the same life chances, regardless of where they are born or live.
• Can live healthy, independent, fulfilling lives.
• Can be part of dynamic, thriving and supportive communities.
• Has equal access to health and social care services.

Start Well

What happens in early life affects your health and wellbeing as you get older. We want to make sure that all children and young people in Wandsworth have a good start to life and the right support to thrive and fulfil their potential.

Live Well

The health and wellbeing of our working-age population impacts not just individuals, but also families, workplaces, and communities. We will promote good health in adulthood, with the ambition of preventing the development of long-term conditions and disabilities, enabling people to live in good health for longer.

Age Well

We want to encourage active, resilient communities that promote healthy ageing and reduce loneliness and isolation for our older residents.

We will also support people to live at home independently and for as long as possible, including people with dementia.

Our Priorities – 19 steps

Start Well

1. Self harm and mental health

2. Childhood obesity

3. Childhood immunisations

4. A&E attendances, and hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injury.

Live Well

5. Adult Immunisations

6. Bowel cancer screening

7. Cervical cancer screening

8. Breast cancer screening

9. Type 2 Diabetes

10. Cardiovascular Disease

11. Air Quality

12. Climate Change

13. Physical activity and healthy eating

14. Alcohol

15. Smoking

16. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Age Well

17. Falls

18. Dementia

19. Social Isolation

There are three overarching core themes that feature across the life course – Integration, Health Inequalities and Prevention.

Our Health & Care Plan aims to show which strategic ambitions will be prioritised during the 2025-27 period, the key objectives linked to how we plan to achieve them and how progress will be tracked. Progress reports will be provided to the Wandworth Health & Care Partnership and the Wandsworth Health & Wellbeing Board.

Step 1: Self harm and mental health

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 5 children and young people. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder and often are a direct response to what is happening in their lives. An estimated 2,800 children aged 5-16 have mental health disorders in Wandsworth. As demand is going up, there is a need to shift the focus in mental health provision towards early intervention and prevention.

Further information can be found in the JSNA and this link will provide information on Mental Health Needs Assessments.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

In 2025-27, we will focus on strengthening mental health support and resilience within our communities, for children and young people. We will work to prevent mental disorders and foster community well-being, ensuring that all schools and colleges have access to dedicated Mental Health Support Teams. A key ambition is consolidating whole-school approaches to enhance mental health and well-being, alongside actively promoting self-harm and suicide prevention toolkits to schools, parents, young people, and frontline staff. By implementing these measures, we aim to reduce self-harm and suicide among children and young people while creating a more supportive and proactive mental health environment.

Step 2: Childhood Obesity

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) tells us that more than 1 in 5 children in England are obese or overweight by the time they start primary school. This rises to one third by the time they are aged 11 years. When compared to other London Boroughs, Wandsworth has the third lowest number of children overweight and obese at reception. By the time they reach year 6, Wandsworth is the fifth lowest in London. Whilst overall this is encouraging, we can always do better.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will focus on increasing promotion and support for breastfeeding and healthy weaning to improve infant health outcomes. This includes delivering an enhanced breastfeeding service to provide better support for local families. Additionally, we aim to support three Family Hubs in achieving Stage 1 UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation, while promoting a local breastfeeding-friendly scheme to businesses and venues.

Simultaneously, we are committed to reducing childhood obesity and enhancing children’s health outcomes through various initiatives. This includes delivering a Family Weight Management Programme and analysing local National Child Measurement Programme data to identify demographics at risk of obesity. We will support and monitor the Healthy Schools London programme, encouraging physical activity and healthy eating. To make exercise more accessible, we will roll out free and discounted leisure centre access, provide free swimming for Wandsworth children on free school meals, and invest in leisure facilities and parks through 2025-2030. In doing so, we aim to embed Wandsworth’s legacy as the best place to play, ensuring all children, young people, and families—regardless of age, needs, or socio-economic background—have access to fun and inclusive play opportunities.

Step 3: Childhood Immunisations

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

As highlighted in the latest JSNA, Wandsworth performed lower than the national average across all immunisation programmes. Vaccination coverage was lower than the benchmark goals for the first dose of MMR (in 5-year-olds), flu, and PPV (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine). The borough faces challenges with regards to uptake due to high population mobility, increasing population and vaccine hesitancy. There is a need to work collaboratively to help increase the uptake, coverage and to reduce inequalities.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will prioritise improving community engagement to address health inequalities; by developing outreach programmes in collaboration with public health, Healthwatch, and voluntary sector organisations, to support seldom-heard groups in accessing vaccinations. A ‘Population Health Management’ approach will be used to analyse data and identify gaps in vaccine uptake. These initiatives will be supported by intelligence from deep-dive public health research, collaboration with community leaders to disseminate multilingual vaccination messaging and targeted campaigns to boost uptake in communities with lower coverage. Outreach clinics, engagement programmes in children’s centres and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases will be key strategies. Additionally, we will implement vaccine hesitancy training for frontline staff and practice teams, support vaccination clinics during outbreaks and offer enhanced resources to practices with lower uptake levels. Our commitment extends to advocating for improved availability and quality of vaccine inequality data, ensuring more effective strategies to address disparities in immunisation access.

Step 4: A&E attendances, and hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injury

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

A&E attendances in children aged under five years are often preventable and commonly caused by accidental injury. Injuries are a leading cause of hospitalisation and represent a major cause of premature mortality for children and young people. They are also a source of long- term health issues,.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will prioritise maintaining the 0-5 Healthy Child Programme, focusing on accident prevention and minor illness reduction as a key impact area. Efforts will include developing a structured programme and performance indicators for an accident prevention focussed health visitor role, who is due to come into post by August 2025. Additionally, we aim to enhance local-level data analysis to better understand hospital admissions and A&E attendances among young children. Expanding the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative to Children’s Centres remains a priority, with staff completing strategic planning and implementation training, followed by an action plan for accreditation. Education and awareness initiatives will strengthen accident prevention, including training in family hubs, participation in Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) week, and hosting dedicated public health webpages.

Step 5: Adult Immunisations

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

As highlighted in the latest JSNA, Wandsworth performed lower than the national average across all immunisation programmes. Flu vaccine uptake in adults aged 65+ in 2019/20 in Wandsworth was 69.8% (n= 25,601), which was lower than the 75% target. PPV was 64.1% (n= 22,735) which was lower than the 75% target. The borough faces challenges with regard to uptake due to high population mobility, increasing population and vaccine hesitancy. There is a need to work collaboratively to help increase the uptake, coverage and to help reduce inequalities. The actions, progress, and goals for both childhood and adult immunisations were agreed by partners as being the same.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will focus on addressing inequalities through enhanced community engagement and system innovation. We will develop outreach programmes in collaboration with Public Health, Healthwatch, and voluntary sector groups to support seldom-heard communities, using a ‘Population Health Management’ approach to identify those with lower vaccine uptake. Delivery efforts will include establishing a coordinated local system to improve vaccination rates, evaluating winter immunisation performance to refine future strategies and equipping Wandsworth residents with accessible vaccine information. Additionally, we will strengthen the vaccination workforce, implement multilingual communications campaigns and conduct outreach to historically low-uptake communities via events and engagement spaces. A Making Every Contact Count (MECC) e-learning module will be produced to help address vaccine hesitancy, alongside an annual Public Health evaluation. Further actions include deploying a Public Health Bus to underserved areas and offering regular vaccination clinics in community settings to maximize access and uptake.

Steps 6, 7 & 8: Bowel, Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Wandsworth’s latest bowel cancer coverage in people aged 60 – 74 was 62.1% (2022), which meets the acceptable target level of ≥60%, which is similar coverage to regional levels with an improving trend. Although there has been an increasing trend over the last couple of years, the coverage is still below the England average (70.3%). Evidence suggests people in more deprived groups are less likely to complete bowel cancer screening (35% for the most deprived group compared to 61% for the least deprived) and the uptake of bowel screening in England is lower in the ethnically diverse areas (38% as compared to 52%-58% in other areas). It is therefore crucial to work collaboratively to help improve coverage and uptake and to help reduce inequalities.

In 2022, cervical cancer screening for 25-49 years age group in Wandsworth shows a level of coverage (61.9%) better than the London average but lower than the England average. For 50- 64 years age group, the coverage (68.7%) is lower than both the London and England averages, with a declining trend across both age groups since 2014/15 and there are marked inequalities. Evidence suggests that women from deprived areas, from certain ethnic minority groups and with any disability (including learning disabilities) are less likely to attend cervical screening.

There was an 11% increase in general emergency hospital admissions where the patient had cancer as a diagnosis. It is therefore crucial to work collaboratively on these areas to improve coverage and uptake and to help reduce inequalities.

In 2022, Wandsworth’s breast cancer screening coverage in females aged 53—70 years was 58.5%, this is significantly lower than the regional and England averages. The coverage has been gradually declining since 2018. Evidence suggests women in the most deprived groups and from certain ethnic groups are less likely to participate in breast screening and more likely to die from breast cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to work collaboratively on these areas to improve coverage and uptake and to help reduce inequalities.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

The work to improve cancer screening rates in South-West London is led the London Regional NHS England Team. RM Partners is one of 20 Cancer Alliances established by NHS England to lead on the delivery of the cancer care recommendations in the NHS Long Term Plan. Their mission is to achieve world class cancer care outcomes and experience for our population.

RM Partners will work with other key system partners, such as; Wandsworth Public Health; to reduce variation and address health inequalities in bowel, cervical and breast cancer screening. As the initiatives planned apply to all three of these priority areas, for the purposes of this plan they have been combined.

The RM Partners 2025-2030 strategy will focus on key prevention priorities, such as; Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, smoking cessation and lung cancer screening; alongside enhancing national cancer screening programmes for bowel, cervical and breast. A major emphasis will be placed on addressing health inequalities by targeting underserved populations and working with primary care sectors to promote awareness. Education and engagement will be strengthened through multilingual communication and tailored outreach to encourage participation in screening services. To support delivery a prevention and screening steering group will oversee a system-wide (SWL) strategy to reduce screening disparities, aiming for a 10% reduction in variation among lower-uptake groups. The SWL screening dashboard will provide demographic insights to refine targeted interventions. Additional initiatives include launching a Community Grants Scheme to support grassroots awareness projects, running marketing campaigns, and engaging South Asian women through the IVAR cervical screening project. These measures will ensure equitable access and uptake of cancer screening, ultimately improving early detection and health outcomes across Wandsworth.

Step 9: Type 2 Diabetes

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

There are approximately 15,257 residents with diabetes in Wandsworth. The latest available data (March 2023), shows that 45.4% of these patients had completed their 8 care processes and 49.3% met their 3 treatment targets. Previous estimates indicate there could be up to 6,000 patients with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes in Wandsworth. A further 11,780 people have been identified to be at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. There is variation in diabetes prevalence and management across the Borough.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

The priorities focus on three key areas: identifying and assessing high-risk individuals—the “missing thousands”—through NHS Health Checks and targeted community engagement, particularly in underserved communities with the support of health and wellbeing workers and social prescribers; prioritising prevention by increasing awareness and engagement with structured education programmes such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, using data monitoring to address inequalities in service uptake; and treat the missing hundreds by working with people with Type 2 Diabetes to achieve their 3 treatment targets and completion of 8 key care processes. Enabling enhanced and improved access to high quality information, treatment, and care. Implement National Programmes to improve diabetes care in target population cohorts.

Step 10: Cardiovascular Disease

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas. This is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years. Approximately 31,966 Wandsworth residents have been diagnosed with hypertension against an expected prevalence of 57,040. 3,722 Wandsworth patients have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation against an expected prevalence of 5,520. 3,250 Wandsworth residents have been diagnosed with chronic heart disease against an expected prevalence of 4,641 (Health Insights Data – March 2023).

There is variation in CVD prevalence, detection, and management across the Borough.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

Addressing CVD involves reducing risk factors and increasing healthy lifestyles. Actions from the Diabetes, Physical Activity and Healthy Eating and Smoking Steps, which are being led by Public Health, will contribute to cardiovascular disease reduction. Initiatives such as the delivery of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) awareness and prevention training for general practice healthcare staff will help prevent CVD, as patients with CKD can exhibit an elevated cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the NHS Health Checks and Community Stop Smoking outreach projects will help to prevent CVD.

Step 11: Air Quality

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Air pollution is not always visible, but it can have a significant and detrimental impact on our quality of life and wellbeing in cities such as in London and inner-city boroughs like Wandsworth. Air quality is improving in Wandsworth but there are still areas, especially around our main roads and town centres, that exceed legal objective limits.

Air pollution can also contribute towards Climate Change in terms of emissions and greenhouse gases. The most common air pollutants can impact on health including exacerbation of asthma, impaired lung development in children, increased risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.

Vulnerable groups include children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with long-term conditions.

The Greater London Authority estimated that in 2019 the equivalent of between 3,600 to 4,100 deaths were attributable to air pollution in the city. Estimated fraction of mortality or deaths attributable to particulate air pollution place Wandsworth 13th out of the 33 boroughs in London at 6.6%, this is above the England and London averages of 5.5% and 6.5% respectively. More needs to be done to help tackle local air pollution and raise health awareness.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

The borough is actively implementing its Air Quality Action Plan and Climate Change Strategy, following recommendations from the Citizen’s Assembly, to tackle local air pollution sources. The 2023 Annual Status Report confirms a downward trend in pollution, with phased adoption of World Health Organization guidelines for health objectives. Efforts focus on engaging vulnerable communities through awareness and collaboration with NHS bodies, local pharmacies and voluntary sector organisations. A joint multi-borough project is underway to refresh an air quality site, shifting its focus to health, local pollution information and self-protection measures, complemented by five training sessions for medical professionals and care workers. Additionally, the borough is adopting and implementing the Local Spatial Plan to ensure new developments contribute to limiting and reducing air pollution.

Step 12: Climate Change

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Climate change has been identified as one of the most significant health risks globally. There are also co-links between climate change and air pollution emissions.

The threats from Climate Change to human health are through direct and multiple or complex pathways from extreme weather events, food scarcity to rise in certain types of vector-borne diseases, as well as impact on mental health. Immediate dangers for residents of Wandsworth are increases in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. For instance, excess heat can put pressure on the heart, brain, and lungs, increasing the death rate from cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, particularly for those with pre-existing health conditions. Elderly people and babies for instance are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses including dehydration.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

The Climate Change Strategy aims to tackle climate change impacts through a system-wide approach, delivering the SWL ICB Green Delivery Plan until 2028/29, covering key areas such as net zero pathways, digital innovation, medicines, transport, waste and adaptation. The 2025 Wandsworth Climate Action Plan drives local implementation. Actions include; decarbonising homes via the Wandsworth Retrofit Strategy and addressing climate-related risks through the Adaptation and Resilience Strategy. Carbon reduction will be further embedded in planning via new guidance set for mid-2026, alongside a public engagement campaign, linking climate change to health. Success will be tracked using greenhouse gas emissions data, with long-term indicators developed in 2025 to assess climate adaptation and resilience progress.

Step 13: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Physical inactivity

The fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, is a contributing risk factor in 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and places a large burden on both healthcare and adult social care. People who are most likely to be physically inactive are:

• Older adults; Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (30% of the Wandsworth population); People in lower socio-economic group; Women are more physically inactive than men; Adults with physical disability, learning disability, long term health conditions (such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease), and multiple co-morbidities; Adults who have problems with weight management (men in particular have low participation in weight loss programmes); Carers (nearly half of carers, 46% are physically inactive).

An estimated 74.5% of adults (197,238) in Wandsworth report being physically active, defined as being physically active for more than 150 minutes per week. However, 17.7% (65,711) of adults are taking less than 30 mins of physical activity.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Healthy eating

Low fruit and vegetable intake and obesity contribute to one third of all deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Poor diet is also a driver for other long-term conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal conditions.

Those groups most at risk of developing diet related disease are older adults, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups (Black African and Caribbean groups are three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes), carers, adults with learning disabilities (40% of adults which a learning disability are obese), people living on low incomes and adults who are overweight and obese.

An estimated 63.9% (1691, 75) of adults in Wandsworth are currently meeting the recommended ‘5 a day’ on a ‘usual day’. Based on 2020 population estimate of 264,749 people aged 18 and over, 95,574 are not meeting the recommended ‘5 a day’.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

Phsyical Activity

We will prioritise removing barriers to participation in sports and exercise by implementing key actions. The Access for All scheme provides free, off-peak access to leisure and sports centres, along with a new peak-time offer. A dedicated working group will focus on increasing involvement among women and girls, leveraging the Women’s Rugby World Cup to drive participation, volunteering, coaching and employment. To improve accessibility, an online activity finder will be created, making it easier for residents to discover local opportunities. Additionally, estate-based physical activity programmes will be introduced, beginning with a pilot on the Alton Estate, to ensure affordable and inclusive options for communities.

Health Eating

The Healthy Catering Commitment (HCC) scheme aims to reduce saturated fat, salt, and sugar levels in food sold by local businesses. Each year, food premises are reviewed and updated, with legally compliant businesses eligible for participation. Food safety officers conduct inspections, providing guidance on 25 HCC criteria and allowing businesses time to implement changes before a follow-up review. Success requires meeting at least 8 criteria, leading to certification and listing on the HCC website. The goal is to visit 100 businesses by March 2026. Progress is measured through public health data, tracking food outlet engagement, accreditation rates and the percentage of adults meeting fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations.

Step 14: Alcohol

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

The NHS defines alcohol misuse as drinking ‘in a way that’s harmful’ or dependence on alcohol, and advises all adults not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.

There are 31.5 licenced premises selling alcohol per square km in Wandsworth – the 14th highest in London and 2392% higher than the national average.

The volume of alcohol sold via the off-trade is 6.1L/adult (n=1,525,456l), which is the 3rd highest in London and 10.1% higher than the England average. The alcohol-related admission rate among 40-65 year olds is 685.6 per 100,000 (n=565), which is 8.3% higher than the London average and 6.3% higher than the previous figure. The rate of alcohol-related road traffic accidents is 8.9 per 100,000 (n=27), which is the 13th lowest rate in London but 48.1% higher than the previous figure. The years of lives lost to alcohol-related conditions is 534.6 per 100,000 (n=1241), which is the 10th highest rate in London.

Further information on this topic can be found in the in JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

Wandsworth is strengthening oversight of alcohol licensing by establishing a structured review pathway; ensuring new licences, renewals and change applications are assessed based on local crime data, hospital admissions, surrounding premises, road incidents, and complaints. Drug-related deaths continue to be monitored via the quarterly Drug Related Deaths Panel, maintaining a strategic approach to prevention. Additionally, a comprehensive needs assessment on substance misuse among children and young people, including alcohol, has been commissioned for the period. This assessment will cover epidemiological trends, service evaluation, at-risk groups, stakeholder engagement, and educational consultations to inform future intervention measures.

Step 15: Smoking

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

The JSNA shows that smoking remains one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK. Every year around 76,000 people in the UK die from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses.

The JSNA highlights the need to reduce smoking rates and improve overall health outcomes in Wandsworth, with a particular focus on reducing health inequalities related to smoking.

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will focus on expanding access to evidence-based smoking cessation services, including nicotine replacement therapy, behavioural support and digital interventions. Advocacy within the Integrated Care System aims to highlight smoking’s impact on health and improve service visibility, with a focus on reducing inequalities through the London Tobacco Alliance. Delivery includes the ongoing Stop Smoking Service, a digital pilot, coordination of the Smokefree Generation Steering Group, and the provision of vaping as a nicotine replacement therapy. New stop smoking therapies will be introduced as available, with Section 31 funding increasing resident engagement. Success will be measured by improved service accessibility, stronger partnerships, increased referrals, and a rising number of successful quit attempts, all contributing to a downward trend in smoking prevalence toward a smokefree status by 2035.

Step 16: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are associated with high levels of distress for those affected. Suicides are preventable. Each life lost is a tragedy. One suicide will always be one too many. Certain groups are at increased risk of suicide including young and middle-aged men, people in the care of mental health services, people with a history of self-harm or suicide attempt, people in the criminal justice system and specific occupational groups (e.g., doctors, construction workers). Additional risk factors include being gay, lesbian, or transgender (with risk arising from the prejudice faced), being in debt, developing a serious mental health condition and stressful life event.

Further information on this topic is available in the JSNA and the Wandsworth Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy 2022-2025.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

We will prioritise raising awareness of mental health issues; providing support and reducing stigma, particularly for LGBT, ethnic minorities, men and carers. Key actions include suicide awareness training for frontline staff, developing an acute crisis pathway, expanding Mental Health First Aid training, and growing Ethnicity in Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) Community Wellbeing hubs. Engagement campaigns, such as the ‘Hold the Hope’ suicide prevention initiative, will offer lived-experience-based support. A targeted approach will allocate resources to high-need areas, integrating recovery hubs and delivering suicide prevention training in primary care. Success will be measured by staff training numbers, GP accreditation, suicide rates, and emergency hospital admissions related to self-harm, with clear targets set for improvement by 2026.

Step 17: Falls

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

A fall is defined as an event which causes a person to, unintentionally, rest on the ground or lower level, and is not a result of a major intrinsic event or overwhelming hazard. As people get older, they are more likely to fall over. Falls can become recurrent and result in injuries including head injuries and hip fractures. The human cost of falling includes distress, pain, injury, loss of confidence, loss of independence and mortality. Falling also affects the family members and carers of people who fall.

Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for people aged 65+, and impact on long term health outcomes of older adults; often resulting in people moving from their own home to long-term nursing or residential care. Emergency admissions put additional pressure on local services, as well as the negative experience for patients and their families.

Wandsworth’s latest rate of emergency admission due to falls in people aged 65+ was 2,467 admissions per 100,000 (n=775), the 6th highest rate in London, 11.0% higher than the England average and 11.4% higher than the London average. The latest Borough figure was also 0.7% lower from year 2010/11, in comparison with a 4.5% increase in England’s rate in the equivalent period. Although the rate has been steadily decreasing in the last 3 years, mainly due to substantial reduction in falls in residents aged 80+, it remains significantly higher than the average rates for England and London.

The Public Health Outcomes Framework reported that in 2021-22 there were around 700 emergency hospital admissions related to falls among patients aged 65 years and over in Wandsworth, with 415 of these emergency admissions for people aged over 80 years. However, about a quarter of this number are where a person has been transferred between hospital sites. This has meant that Wandsworth has the 27th lowest rate of falls for people 65 and over compared to the 150 boroughs in England. The number of falls has also reduced over the last year and is currently achieving the Better Care Fund ambition within the 2023-25 Better Care Fund Plan.’

Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

In 2025-27, we will focus on enhancing urgent community response services to manage growing demand and improve falls pickups, embedding acoustic monitoring in care homes while addressing high falls rates and no-pickup policies using regulatory and ambulance service data. Additionally, a review of short-stay emergency admissions will help identify opportunities to shift care towards community-based alternatives through NHS providers. Finally, population health management data will be used to ensure accessible falls recovery services, with an emphasis on understanding the locations where falls occur to refine interventions.

A South West London model of frailty has been for designed to support the frail population. A system wide Merton and Wandsworth frailty forum now meets to ensure that the borough promotes independence and wellbeing and has a specific focus on falls prevention. In addition, there is work continuing across the borough to support care home residents via the enhanced health in care homes (EHCH) framework, supported by community service falls pickup services provided through Urgent Community Response (UCR) teams. It is expected that the work across frailty will ensure that the numbers of people 65+ being admitted as an emergency for a fall as well as the number and rate of incidents responded to for falls as well as ambulance conveyances would reduce from the number and rate seen in 2024-25, and the level of variation seen in care homes would narrow.

The borough benchmarks well for emergency admissions for falls, although further work needs to be carried out to reduce unwarranted variation for falls in CQC registered care homes in the borough, which need to be understood before setting out ambitions for this cohort.

Step 18: Dementia

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

Dementia is a progressive disease often associated with complex health and social care needs which have an impact on both the individual and the family/friends supporting them. These needs are expected to rise in Wandsworth because of increases in the number of older adults living in the Borough. In 2020, the recorded prevalence of dementia in people age 65+ was 4.7%, the 4th highest rate in London, which was 18.7% higher than England average and 13% higher than London average.

Enacting comprehensive dementia prevention and support will be undertaken by focusing on the dementia pathway, utilising the following headings: Prevention, Diagnosis, Dementia Care Support, End-of-life Care.

Inequalities will be addressed under each of these areas. Further information on this topic can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

The priority actions focus on strategic objectives and delivery will be supported and overseen at key system meetings involving a range of partners. It will be ensured that local dementia data is accessible for partners, and that national and local strategy and good practice is reflected in future work. Prevention efforts include expanding dementia awareness training, taking steps to make Wandsworth a ‘Dementia Friendly’ borough, and linking with Live Well priorities to address risk factors. Diagnosis-related actions aim to maintain high diagnosis rates and address variation across the borough. In terms of support services, work will take place to raise awareness of post-diagnosis support and care pathways, including updating relevant resources for the public and professionals. There is also an emphasis on carers support including access to carers reviews, and on providing enhanced support for people living with dementia in care homes. It should be noted that this plan captures a few key areas of focus, but it is not exhaustive, and work will also progress in relation to other identified local priority areas. The delivery of the plan requires a partnership approach, and it will be ensured that key stakeholders are engaged, with accountability supported through the identification of named leads. The plan will evolve through regular monitoring and reviews, and engagement will be central to ensuring effective implementation.

Step 19: Social Isolation

Our Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 says:

One in twelve Londoners experience severe loneliness, according to a report published in 2022 (Fitzpatrick, N. 2022). In 2019/20, Wandsworth’s proportion of adult social care users who have as much social contact as they would like was 40.6%. Wandsworth’s latest percentage of adult carers who have as much social contact as they would like was 11.1%, the lowest rate in London.

Further information can be found in the JSNA.

Our Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27:

In 2025-27, we will focus on ensuring Council Leisure Services are accessible to all, particularly vulnerable and underrepresented residents, while strengthening local networks and community assets to enhance resilience. Digital technology will be leveraged to reduce isolation for those who can benefit, with targeted support for individuals needing assistance to use it. Additionally, findings from the Voluntary Sector Needs Assessment will be incorporated to more effectively address social isolation and loneliness across the community.

Next Steps

The new Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-29 was published in 2024, setting a refreshed list of priorities for local system partners. This document is the next iteration of the Wandsworth Health and Care Plan, covering the 2025-27 period. It is the two-year delivery plan for the Health & Wellbeing Strategy. It aims to show how the system is planning to progress improvements in each of the 19 Steps (priority areas) for health and wellbeing. It is a continuation of the great work completed in 2022-24 and years preceding.

There is so much that our local system partners have done and continue to do to improve the health and care of our population that it is a challenge to capture all of it in one document and to do them all justice. The document sets out the local priorities as agreed with engagement from key system partners, how they will be delivered and monitored. Updates will be reported to the Wandsworth Health & Care Partnership and the Wandsworth Health & Wellbeing Board.

The delivery plan is a live document and will be updated accordingly. As reflected in the plan, there will be further actions developed over the course of the 2025-27 period.

Thank you!

Thank you to all partners across Wandsworth for your hard work delivering these projects, supporting our communities and improving the health and wellbeing of residents – thank you!

If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected] . 

Glossary of Terms

1. ABPM – Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
2. Adult Weight Management Programme – A comprehensive AWM pathway was developed together with system partners. This integration of universal, structured and specialists’ services into one pathway has joined up services to facilitate referrals to more services giving residents’ options to support them in achieving a healthier weight.
3. A&E – Accident and Emergency.
4. AF – Atrial Fibrillation.
5. BPCS – Blood pressure check service.
6. Community Organisations – Providing health and care services in the community, as opposed to in hospital or in primary care.
7. CLCH – Central London Community Healthcare.
8. COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
9. CVD – Cardiovascular disease.
10. Datawand – DataWand is a free and open website designed so that users can easily access local data relevant to the London Borough of Wandsworth. This site brings together a collection of data from nationally recognised sources, across several themes to provide a full overview of the borough and how it compares locally and nationally.
11. DOAC – Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulants.
12. Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) – A proactive model of care delivery that is centred around individual residents, their families and care home staff.
13. Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) programme – to reduce ethnic inequalities in access, experience and outcome of mental health care.
14. Family Weight Management Programme – This service runs group-based diet and exercise sessions exploring barriers and solutions to effect positive lifestyle change.
15. Frailty – is where someone is less able to cope and recover from accidents, physical illness or other stressful events.

16. Health and Care Committee – The Committee is a local partnership, maintaining strategic overview and steer, reporting to the Health & Wellbeing Board.
17. Health and Care Partnership – A local Partnership focusing on the delivery of the Health & Care Plan, reporting to the Committee.
18. Health and Care Plan – Document which sets out the Wandsworth Health & Care priorities, identified by; health, social care, voluntary sector and wider ‘place’ partners. The plan includes programmes which will be delivered collaboratively, to improve the health and care for our Wandsworth community.
19. Health Inequalities – are unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society. These include how long people are likely to live, the health conditions they may experience and the care that is available to them.
20. Healthy Schools London Programme – offers a framework for schools, which, together with community resources, tackles a variety of inequalities, including air pollution, dental health, obesity, substance misuse and mental and sexual health.
21. Health services – can include GPs, pharmacies, prescriptions, hospitals, dentists, mental health services, and more! Healthcare services are different from social care services.

21. HWB – Wandsworth’s Health and Wellbeing Board is a local partnership which brings together key leaders from the Council, local GPs, the Integrated Care Board and the voluntary sector. Closer working between the Board and local health professionals creates a great opportunity to improve the lives of our residents and promote a healthier borough.
22. Integration – better integration means improved planning and joined up delivery of services, to improve access and quality, to reduce health inequalities.
23. Intermediate Care – time-limited, short-term health and/or social care provided to adults (aged 18 years or over) who need support after discharge from acute inpatient settings and virtual wards, to help them rehabilitate and recover.
24. JLHWBS – Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
25. JSNA – The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is a Public Health assessment of the health, care and wellbeing needs of the community. It is used to inform strategic priorities, as well as future service planning and commissioning.
26. KPIs – Key performance indicators.
27. Leisure Strategy – Plan to make sport and leisure more accessible and affordable.
28. LGBTQ – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer.
29. MECC – Make Every Contact Count.
30. Mental Health Support Teams – working with schools across the borough, to develop whole school approaches to wellbeing and mental health that enhance Children, Young People and Staff Wellbeing.
31. MMR – Measles mumps rubella.
32. NCMP – The National Child Measurement Programme is a valuable way to understand the weight status of children attending schools in Wandsworth and identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
33. NDPP – National Diabetes Prevention Programme.
34. NHS – National Health Service.
35. NHSE – NHS England.
36. NHS Health Checks – a free check-up of an individuals overall health, every 5 years, if you are aged 40 to 74 and do not have pre-existing conditions.
37. OHID – Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
38. PPV – Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.
39. POPPI – Project older people population information system.
40. PF – Prevention Framework 2021-2025 – A model of work which has at its centre the aim of embedding prevention as a system delivery tool to promote health and to reduce health inequalities.
41. Promoting Alternative Thinking Skills (PATHS) – is an evidence based whole school approach to emotional literacy and emotional resilience. The programme includes weekly lessons for children as well as training for school staff; in implementing the lessons and consistent approach to managing behaviour around the schools, in lessons, at break times and around the building. 
42. PCN – Primary Care Networks are groups of GP practices and other local health and social services, that provide more integrated and personalised care for people in their network area.
43. Public Health – is a multi-disciplinary team, comprising of doctors, public health specialists and other professionals. The team seek to improve the health and wellbeing of Wandsworth residents and reduce health inequalities, so that residents can lead longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
44. SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disability
45. Social Care – all forms of personal care and practical assistance. Wandsworth social care team provides information, advice and support to the population.
46. Social Isolation – when ones connection with other people is limited, linked to loneliness.
47. South West London Integrated Care System – A South West London partnership of primary care, hospital, social care, Public Health, mental health, voluntary and community health and care services. Together, the partners plan and deliver joined up services to improve access and quality services, to reduce health inequalities.
48. South West London Integrated Care Board – The Integrated Care Board is responsible for commissioning and overseeing health services in South West London.
49. UCP – Universal Care Plan
50. Smoking Cessation – refers to activities that aim to support people to stop smoking.
51. Start Well, Live Well, Age Well – Reflects the life course, where ‘Start Well’ projects focus on the start of life (0-18 yrs), ‘Live Well’ is working adult age (18-65 yrs) and ‘Age Well’ on the later stages of life (65+ yrs).
52. UCP – Universal Care Plans are personalised care plans, giving individuals and their carers more control and choice over their mental and physical health. UCPs are being rolled
53. VCS – Voluntary Sector. The voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has always provided a range of different support, helping community voices to be heard, delivering services and being partners in strategic development. They are independent from local and national government, and distinct from the private sector. Charities are an example of a voluntary sector organisation.
54. Wellbeing – the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. We often speak of a person’s physical and mental wellbeing as an important factor in health and care.