Neighbourhood health framework

Applies to England

Ministerial foreword

Most people and communities want to access health and care as close to home as possible, in a way that is most convenient for them and that gives them what they need when they need it.

Similarly, our staff want to support patients and service users without being constrained by organisational boundaries, and often echo the frustrations voiced in their communities when the design and delivery of local services fall short of what the NHS could – and should – be delivering.

Despite these 2 things being persistently true, for too long the NHS and wider health and care system has struggled to create the environment in which local services can work together, be co-ordinated, funded and delivered in a consistent way that enables what is often described as the ‘left shift’ to happen in an industrialised way while still meeting local needs and circumstances.

This government and ministerial team are determined to change that.

In the 10 Year Health Plan for England, we promised to give power to people. If we are to do this, we need to end people being passed from pillar to post in a fragmented and, at times, chaotic system, and make local health services meaningfully accountable to local residents and service users.