Understanding how the Government’s ambitious neighbourhood transformation will reshape healthcare delivery across England
The NHS Ten Year Plan, published in July 2025, introduces a fundamental shift towards Neighbourhood Health Services designed around patients rather than institutions. These integrated neighbourhoods represent the Government’s vision to move healthcare “from hospital to community”, with Neighbourhood Health Centres established in every community across England.
Under this new model, patients will access more care on their doorstep and from the comfort of their own home, making it easier to see a GP whilst ensuring comprehensive health services are delivered locally.
The Ten Year Plan explicitly states that the NHS faces a stark choice: “reform or die”. With demographic change and population ageing set to heap more demand on an already stretched health service, the current hospital-centric model is unsustainable.
The Plan aims to tackle several critical challenges:
Many patients cannot get GP or dental appointments
Hospital and community care waiting lists have ballooned
Staff are demoralised and demotivated
Health outcomes on major conditions lag behind other countries
By shifting care to neighbourhood settings, the NHS can provide more accessible, preventative care whilst reducing pressure on hospital services.
Neighbourhood Health Services will integrate multiple healthcare providers and services within local communities. Rather than patients travelling to different locations for various treatments, services will be coordinated locally through:
Physical hubs in every community providing comprehensive primary care services
Making it significantly easier to see a general practitioner
Bringing consultant-led services closer to patients’ homes
Connecting neighbourhood services through advanced technology platforms
Catching illness earlier and preventing conditions before they develop
The Ten Year Plan commits £29 billion in additional investment to fund the reforms, service improvements, and new technology required for transformation. This substantial funding will support:
Infrastructure development for Neighbourhood Health Centres
Technology systems to enable seamless care coordination
Workforce expansion and training for community-based roles
Digital tools to liberate staff from administrative tasks
Prevention programmes targeting local health inequalities
The Plan explicitly recognises that people in working-class jobs, from ethnic minority backgrounds, in rural or coastal areas, or experiencing homelessness face worse NHS access and outcomes.
Integrated neighbourhoods will be designed to tackle inequalities by:
Bringing services directly into underserved communities
Tailoring provision to local population health needs
Removing barriers to access through local delivery
Enabling culturally appropriate care provision
Focusing on prevention in areas with highest health risks
Whilst the Ten Year Plan’s vision is compelling, healthcare leaders across England face significant implementation challenges:
Organisational ChangeMoving from established hospital-centric models to neighbourhood-focused delivery
Workforce TransitionRetraining and redeploying staff for community-based roles
Technology IntegrationImplementing digital systems that connect previously siloed services
Financial ManagementLeveraging the £29 billion investment effectively whilst maintaining current service levels
Cultural TransformationShifting from reactive treatment to proactive prevention
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) will be central to delivering integrated neighbourhood services. Practices can begin preparation by:
Analysing current patient flows and identifying opportunities for community-based delivery
Building capability across different professional groups for integrated working
Implementing technology that supports coordinated care delivery
Building relationships with community organisations, social services, and other healthcare providers
Preparing staff for expanded roles in neighbourhood settings
Successful neighbourhood integration requires structured improvement approaches. Evidence from healthcare transformation programmes shows that practices benefit from:
Develop Consulting has supported NHS transformation programmes across more than 40 Integrated Care Boards, helping healthcare leaders implement neighbourhood working whilst protecting patient outcomes.
The Ten Year Plan sets ambitious timelines for transformation, with neighbourhood services expected to be “designed around you” and operational across England by the mid-2030s. However, early implementation will begin immediately, with practices and PCNs expected to start transitioning towards neighbourhood models as funding becomes available.
The Government emphasises this represents “major surgery, not sticking plasters” – indicating rapid, comprehensive change rather than gradual evolution.
Given the complexity and scale of transformation required, many healthcare organisations are seeking expert guidance to navigate neighbourhood integration successfully.
Professional support can help with demand analysis, workforce planning, technology implementation, and change management – ensuring neighbourhood working delivers improved patient outcomes whilst maintaining service quality during transition.
The NHS Ten Year Plan’s integrated neighbourhoods represent the most significant healthcare transformation in decades. Success will depend on careful planning, proven implementation methodologies, and expert support to navigate the complex change ahead.