This week, the UK Government has announced that 27 out of the expected 250 neighbourhood health centres will open by 2027.
Backed by up to £200m in funding, the initial 27 centres will provide a range of services, including GP appointments, urgent treatment and pharmacy care, within a single, community-based setting.
The 27 centres form the first phase of a wider rollout, with plans to expand to around 50 sites delivered by 2027, and up to 250 neighbourhood health centres by the mid-2030s.
Many of the hubs are expected to be delivered through refurbishment and repurposing of existing NHS and community estate.
NHS Property Services has outlined plans to transform the existing buildings to support the rollout, as detailed in its proposal to reshape underutilised space for community-based care delivery.
“We’re rolling out neighbourhood health centres across the country by repurposing and improving local buildings, first targeting the communities that need them most. These one-stop shops will help end the maze of referrals and repeated conversations, treating not just poor health but the causes of it,” said Health Minister Stephen Kinnock.
What services will the neighbourhood health centres offer?
The centres are intended to act as “one-stop-shop” hubs, reducing the need for hospital visits by bringing multiple services together and enabling faster, more coordinated care.
In addition to healthcare services, the facilities will also incorporate other support services such as debt advice, employment assistance and family support, reflecting a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Planned to operate up to 12 hours a day, six days a week, the centres aim to improve access to care while easing pressure on overstretched NHS services.
The programme forms part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, which prioritises a shift from hospital-based treatment to community-led, preventative care.
The initiative is focused particularly on areas with the greatest health inequalities, with the aim of improving outcomes, reducing waiting times and delivering more personalised, end-to-end care closer to home.