The Government will roll out first neighbourhood health services in 43 places across England.
The aim is to shift more care from hospitals to be closer to home, especially in areas with lowest life expectancy and longest waits tackling health inequalities
In each of the sites: a ‘Programme Lead’ will work with local services (GPs, community nurses, hospital doctors, social care, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, paramedics, social prescribers, local government, voluntary sector) to build a Neighbourhood Health Team.
They will initially focus on supporting people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, angina, high blood pressure, MS or epilepsy – in areas with the highest deprivation.
There are 43 sites covered in ‘Wave 1’, including in London: Barking and Dagenham; Hillingdon; Lambeth; Southwark; Croydon; Kensington; Chelsea; Westminster.
Data shows that in London, in its first year, a community health scheme lowered A&E admissions by 7% and hospital admissions by 10%.
London Sport things to watch:
- How will the neighbourhood health teams engage with physical activity/active-living partners?
- Does the rollout contribute to reducing inequalities in activity?
- What metrics will be used and are they compatible with London Sport’s metrics?
- Will community sports providers and local physical-activity delivery organisations be included in the neighbourhood health teams?
- How will physical activity promotion in the neighbourhood health teams be designed to meet the needs of people with long-term conditions, including those who are inactive?