- Four neighbourhood health centres confirmed for North East and Yorkshire – part of the first national wave of 27
- Backed by up to £50 million Government funding nationally to bring care closer to home
- Centres will provide one stop shop access to NHS and community services in areas with the highest need
Thousands of people across the North East and Yorkshire will benefit from improved access to healthcare closer to home with four neighbourhood health centres in region set for upgrades as part of its first national wave.
The centres – in Doncaster (The Stone Castle Centre), Leeds (Beeston Hill), Bradford (Westbourne Green) and County Durham (Seaham Primary Care Centre) – are among the first in England to be upgraded or expanded under the 10 Year Health Plan, which aims to cut waiting lists, tackle inequalities and shift more care into communities.
Once completed, people will be able to access a wider range of NHS services under one roof and on their doorstep, such as urgent care, GP and pharmacy services. Over time, centres will also bring together wider support such as debt, employment and family advice to help address the root causes of poor health.
The first 27 centres across England – including the four in North East and Yorkshire – will be open by 2027, backed by up to £50 million in this wave and a total of £200 million for the first 50 sites.
These sites have been prioritised based on deliverability, alignment with the neighbourhood health model, and levels of local deprivation, ensuring investment goes first to communities who need it most.
Neighbourhood health centres aim to create end to end, joined up care, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and supporting people with long term or complex needs, including those nearing the end of life.
In total the government has pledged to open 250 by 2036, with the first 120 open by 2030.
Dr Faisel Baig, GP and Primary Care Medical Director for NHS North East and Yorkshire said: “The intention is neighbourhood health centres will be seen as the place to go for many health needs in every community. They will make it easier for people from all communities to access more joined up care closer to home.
“By bringing GP services together, we can help people to get the right care more quickly, close to home, while avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital. We are bringing care to them with a wider range of more tailored support.”