The first of the new neighbourhood health services will be rolled out across 42 sites in England from September, the government has announced.
NHS and council leaders have today been urged to team up with health and care providers to accelerate the rollout of these services, which will bring diagnostics, mental health, post-op, rehab and nursing under one roof.
“This shift to the community will be vital in ending the unsustainable pressures on emergency departments”
Nicola Ranger
They form a key part of the government’s new 10 Year Health Plan, which was unveiled last week.
The move to introduce neighbourhood health services will support the delivery of one of the government’s three big shifts for the health service: moving care out of hospitals and into the community.
Ministers announced today that health local authority chiefs have been asked to submit applications to join phase one of the neighbourhood health programme, outlining examples of joined up working and innovation in their areas.
Successful applicants will take part in an intensive national coaching programme over the summer, including workshop days that bring together experts, primary care teams, patients, the voluntary sector and local authorities.
From September, the first 42 sites will then immediately start rolling out their neighbourhood health programmes.
Priority will be given to working class areas where life expectancy is lowest, with staff focusing on patients with long-term conditions and complex needs.
A joint taskforce has been set up between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to drive progress.
It will be chaired by Sir John Oldham and comprise NHS leaders, local authority bosses, and other key figures from the voluntary sector and health and care organisations.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “Our 10 Year Health Plan committed to building a neighbourhood health service, and we’re hitting the ground running on delivering it.
“If we are to get patients cared for faster, on their doorstep and even in their own home, then we need to shift the focus of the NHS from hospitals to the community.
“Today, we are issuing an open invitation to local authorities and health services to become pioneer neighbourhood health services and lead the charge of healthcare reform,” he said.
He added: “As part of our plan for change, we’re beginning the neighbourhood health service in areas of greatest need first, to tackle the unfair health inequalities that blight our country.”
Responding to the announcement, Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive Nicola Ranger said: “Nursing staff were identified in the government’s 10-year health plan as the expert leaders needed to deliver a neighbourhood health service.
“This shift to the community will be vital in ending the unsustainable pressures on emergency departments and the unacceptable practice of corridor care,” she said. “We stand ready to deliver this change.
“As the professionals delivering the vast majority of care, we know what keeps patients safe and well and it’s right that our skills and leadership are recognised,” said Ms Ranger.
She added: “To make this a reality, the secretary of state must produce a detailed and fully funded plan to grow our registered nurse workforce, especially in crucial community roles.”
Meanwhile, the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing last week raised questions about the neighbourhood health service, noting that integrated teams already exist up and down the country.
The organisation called for a greater focus on enhancing what works now, with community and district nurses being properly supported, rather than creating “new and shiny services”.
More on neighbourhood health centres
