Integrated Care Board publishes mental health strategy developed in partnership with ARC West

23 June 2025

The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has published its mental health strategy for the next five years, developed in partnership with NIHR ARC West.

We supported the strategy development in three areas:

  • We collated, reviewed and analysed data and documentation to understand the population’s needs and gaps in services
  • We worked with service users and providers to shape the strategy, including interviews and workshops
  • Working closely with the ICB, we developed the model, structure and content of the strategy

This detailed work took many months. The BSW ICB team then went on to flesh out the detail, then consult on the model and its implications.

The strategy was published on 20 May 2025, with an official launch following over the summer.

In her welcome to the strategy, BSW ICB Chief Executive Sue Harriman writes:

“The publication of our BSW ICB five-year mental health strategy is a pivotal moment for the future of mental health services in our area … I hope this strategy will act as our ‘true north’ as we work together to help the people of BSW live longer, happier and healthier lives.”

Dr Georgina Ruddle, Interim Director of All Age Mental Health at BSW ICB, said:

“We are incredibly thankful to the many stakeholders who contributed their time, insight, and experience to help shape our mental health strategy. We are excited about the direction the strategy gives us for the next 5 years.

“With the continued support of all stakeholders, we are committed to progressing the recommendations and translating them into tangible improvements in service provision. Ultimately we want to enable better outcomes for those who access mental health services across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.”

Dr Hannah Family, Research Fellow at ARC West and project lead, said:

“It’s been a privilege to work closely with the ICB, service providers and, most importantly, service users, on this important strategy. There have been many open, honest and sometimes difficult conversations along the way. Hopefully this means we’ve helped develop a strategy that is realistic and deliverable – but that also will make a difference to people.”