The Government has announced the roll out of the new National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP), with 43 Places across the country selected to set up new Neighbourhood Health Services.
The programme is part of the Government’s plans to shift the focus of care from hospitals to communities – one of the three key shifts outlined in its 10-year health plan.
Each Place will form a Neighbourhood Health Team including a range of professionals – like community nurses, hospital doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, paramedics, Social Prescribing Link Workers, local government organisations and voluntary sector professionals.
Charlotte Osborn-Forde, NASP’s Chief Executive, said: “We very much welcome the development of the new neighbourhood health services, including Social Prescribing Link Workers and other roles who can connect patients to support available in communities.
“Helping people to get practical support for issues like debt and housing, and supporting people to be more active and more connected, can have such a big effect on health and wellbeing. Establishing neighbourhood health teams will help join the dots between the NHS and charities, community organisations, advice services and faith groups, benefiting patients across the country.
“We look forward to working with national and local health leaders to support these services as they develop.”
