New Neighbourhood Health Services | News and events

Local people in Peterborough and Fenland are set to benefit from improved care closer to home, as the government begins a rollout of new neighbourhood health services.

Peterborough and Fenland are one of 43 areas in England that were successful in their bids to set up a new neighbourhood health service as part of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP).

Led by local GP practices working closely with key community partners, the Neighbourhood Health Teams will bring together a range of local health and social care professionals to offer patients bespoke care plans, with the initial focus on improving services and support for the management of people with multiple conditions and those living with frailty.

The successful application, which was made by the North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Care Partnership, was selected from 141 applications which were judged on evidence of joint working across local health and care partners that have improved services and support that helped connect with local communities.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: "We are building an NHS fit for the future, one that fits around peoples’ lives and is an integral part of their community. “Neighbourhood health services fundamentally reimagine how the NHS works – bringing care closer to home while helping to tackle this nation’s shameful health inequalities. “Through our Plan for Change, we will stop people from being bounced around a broken system as we get the health service back on its feet.”

Dr Neil Modha, GP and Co-Chair of the North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Care Partnership, said “We’re absolutely delighted to be part of the first wave of this national programme. It’s a real recognition of the fantastic work my colleagues are doing every day and the support we’ve had from patients and communities. This is an exciting chance to learn, share and make an even bigger difference for local people.”

The ‘Neighbourhood Health Teams’ will consist of NHS doctors and nurses, as well as social care workers, dentists, mental health support, voluntary sector and other health practitioners, to provide patients with bespoke care plans that will ensure easier access to the right care, at the right time, closer to home.

Kate Vaughton, Chief Partnerships and Integration Officer and NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, reflected: “This is a fantastic opportunity to accelerate neighbourhood health services for communities in the North of our area. It is also a chance for us to take what we collectively learn from this work and use it to support our neighbourhood based teams across our area to ensure as many local people benefit as possible.”

Charlotte Williams, Deputy Chief Executive at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, and hosts the North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Care Partnership, said: “This is great news for patients and our communities who will be able to access care closer to home when they need it. It will also support the effective use of care and treatment provided in our hospitals.

“This development very much supports our Trust strategy and the NHS 10 Year Plan to provide care where it is most needed. We look forward to working even more closely with colleagues across the health and care system to shape the new neighbourhood health services.”

Stephen Taylor, Peterborough City Council’s Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning, said: “We are fully committed to working with partners to help improve healthcare in our communities. That’s why we wanted to be part of this worthwhile programme and are confident that it will make a positive difference, helping to support residents in need of quality care.” 

Neighbourhood working is already well established in Fenland, Peterborough and Huntingdonshire where local care professionals come together with voluntary sector organisations to improve the health and wellbeing including improving cancer screening, supporting smoking cessation and identifying and supporting vulnerable people through holistic care planning.

Neighbourhood health services are a key aspect of the NHS 10-year plan, which sets a clear focus on seeing care shift from the hospital to the community to help provide earlier support, quicker diagnosis, and fewer barriers to accessing vital treatment for all.