Trust Board - March 2026 | Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Summary of Trust Board - March 2026

Replacement care services are transitioning due to funding challenges, with a focus on safe handover.
Performance updates highlighted waiting time pressures, particularly in neurodiversity and paediatrics.
Workforce updates included ongoing recruitment challenges and national role reviews.
Financial updates confirmed delivery against plan and preparation for a difficult future year.
Patient experience work continues to strengthen engagement, health literacy, and co-production.
Neighbourhood health was emphasised as a key strategic priority for integrated care delivery.

Patient feedback on respite services was highly positive, highlighting strong care and support for families.
The system delivered its best winter performance in several years, with improved flow and stability.
Staff engagement scores improved and are now above the national average.
The Trust remains financially stable and on plan, with good governance and control.
Emergency preparedness is strong, with high compliance against national standards.

Minutes and actions from the previous meeting were approved.
The emergency preparedness assurance statement was approved.
Revenue and capital budgets were approved, confirming a balanced financial plan.
The Board agreed to continue monitoring key risks closely and to support safe service transitions.

Concerns were raised about the impact of service changes on families using replacement care.
Financial pressures and funding shortfalls remain significant risks.
Staffing pressures persist, particularly in specialist services.
Some regulatory and improvement programmes have been delayed due to capacity constraints.
Staff concerns about the effectiveness of speaking up highlight communication gaps, but work is underway to improve this.