Millions of people across England are set to gain from healthcare delivered right in their communities, as the government begins rolling out the country’s first neighbourhood health services in 43 locations. Backed by £10 million, this new approach is designed to shift care away from hospitals and into local areas, ensuring people get the right support closer to home.
Tackling Health Inequalities
The initiative will focus on working-class communities where life expectancy is lowest and waiting times are longest. These areas have historically faced barriers in accessing timely healthcare, leading to avoidable hospital admissions and poorer health outcomes. By bringing services directly into neighbourhoods, the government hopes to close the gap and tackle what Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has called the nation’s “shameful health inequalities.”
Building Neighbourhood Health Teams
Each of the 43 chosen sites will appoint a programme lead who will work alongside local services to create integrated neighbourhood health teams. These teams will be rooted in general practice and supported by a wide network that includes community nurses, hospital doctors, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, paramedics, social care workers, local councils, charities, and volunteers. Together, they will deliver joined-up support that addresses not only medical conditions but also wider social factors affecting health.
Focus on Long-Term Conditions
The first stage of the rollout will prioritise people living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, epilepsy, high blood pressure, and heart disease. By providing coordinated care and ongoing support, neighbourhood teams aim to reduce complications, cut hospital admissions, and improve quality of life. Over time, the programme will expand to include more patients and conditions, ensuring even broader community coverage.
Putting Patients at the Centre
Neighbourhood health services are built around the principle of personalised, end-to-end care. Patients will no longer face the frustration of being passed between departments without continuity. Instead, they will have a coordinated plan tailored to their needs. Real-life cases illustrate this change: Frank, a patient with multiple chronic illnesses, now benefits from a care plan managed by his local team, avoiding repeated hospital stays. Veena, who previously relied on A&E due to poor housing and mental health struggles, now has access to same-day GP appointments and wider community support.
Backed by Investment and Experience
The first wave of services will launch on September 2025, spanning areas from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to Sunderland in the North East. The model builds on successful community health programmes already trialled across the country. In London, similar schemes reduced A&E admissions by 7% in a single year, while in Cornwall, local initiatives boosted cancer screenings and NHS health checks by more than 80%.
A Shift in How the NHS Works
This programme represents a fundamental change in how healthcare is delivered. Rather than relying heavily on hospitals, services will be based around communities and shaped by local needs. From 2026, GPs will be supported by new contracts allowing them to lead neighbourhood health delivery across populations of 50,000 to 250,000 people. Over time, services such as diagnostics, mental health care, rehabilitation, and social care will also become available through local neighbourhood teams.
Voices from the Sector
Health leaders and patient advocates have welcomed the announcement. Ruth Rankine of the NHS Confederation described it as an “important shift in how care is delivered,” while Rachel Power of the Patients Association emphasised that placing services in more convenient locations will mean earlier support and quicker diagnoses. Jacob Lant of National Voices highlighted the importance of involving local communities directly in designing services, ensuring they reflect people’s real needs.
The rollout of neighbourhood health services marks a pivotal moment for the NHS. By placing patients and communities at the heart of care, the government hopes to create a health system that is more accessible, fairer, and better equipped for the future. If successful, the initiative could reshape healthcare delivery across England, offering millions of people improved outcomes and a stronger sense of support within their own neighbourhoods.