Developing Neighbourhood Health Centres

Neighbourhood Health Centres are part of a national NHS programme to improve how health and care services are delivered closer to where people live.

They aim to bring services together in local communities so care is easier to access and better connected. Services may include:

• General practice and Primary Care Network services
• Community health services
• Mental health support
• Minor diagnostics and specialist community clinics
• Voluntary sector organisations and wider neighbourhood support

There is no single model for Neighbourhood Health Centres. In some areas, this may mean developing larger centres, while in others it may focus on improving or better connecting existing services.

What is developed locally will depend on:

• The needs of local communities
• Services already in place
• Available buildings and facilities

We are assessing opportunities based on where there is the greatest health need, where investment could make the biggest difference, and where schemes are deliverable and affordable.

This programme builds on our existing estates and neighbourhood plans, working with partners and communities to improve access to care closer to home.

NHS England has asked all ICBs to develop and submit proposals for potential Neighbourhood Health Centres in line with national guidance.

Initial proposals have been developed to meet a national deadline and will continue to evolve as more detailed planning and engagement takes place.

NHS England will review submissions from across the country and decide which proposals will receive national funding to enable them to progress.

Yes. Central East ICB has submitted an initial set of draft proposals in line with national guidance. These proposals are at an early stage and will continue to evolve as we work with partners, clinicians, local authorities, and our local communities.  There are 56 sites on our initial list.

We are committed to involving local people and communities to help shape future proposals as they develop.

This work builds on ongoing conversations with communities and partners, and there will be further opportunities to share views as plans progress.

NHS England will review submissions from across the country and decide which proposals will progress.

This is the first step in developing a longer-term plan of Neighbourhood Health Centre projects across our area. 

We will continue to keep patients, partners and the public updated as more information becomes available and plans develop.

We have put forward 56 potential schemes.  This list represents a wide set of ambitions, many of which are at the early concept stage.  Not being included at this stage does not mean that an area will not benefit from future investment.

Likewise, inclusion of a scheme on the list at this stage does not mean that it will definitely happen.  NHS England will determine which schemes proceed to the next stage and will be responsible for the selection criteria.

The geographical distribution of the schemes we have submitted is as follows: