Portsmouth has this week been named as one of the first 43 places across the country that are set to benefit from improved care closer to home, as the Labour Government begins to roll out new neighbourhood health services.
Local Labour MP, Amanda Martin described the news as a ‘huge boost for local residents as this Labour Government delivers on its promises for people and patients in Portsmouth’.
In the recent Ten Year Health Plan, the Labour Government promised a shift from hospital to community to help deliver an NHS fit for the future. The roll out of neighbourhood health services is a key step towards that goal.
Each of the 43 areas, including Portsmouth will be allocated a programme lead who will work with existing local services to set up a new neighbourhood health service.
The leads, using general practice as the cornerstone, will draw together a range of professions to develop a neighbourhood health team consisting of community nurses, hospital doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, paramedics, social prescribers, local government organisations and the voluntary sector – giving people easier access to the right care and support on their doorstep.
The 43 wave 1 sites have been selected as pioneer areas for neighbourhood health services. They will eventually bring health and care services such as diagnostics, mental health, outpatients, post-op, rehab, nursing and social care closer to home.
The programme builds on examples of local best practice highlighted in the 10 Year Health Plan, where some patients are already benefiting from a joined-up neighbourhood approach. This scheme will bring the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.
Local Labour MP, Amanda Martin said: “I’m delighted that our community has been chosen as one of the first to benefit from the roll out of neighbourhood health services as part of the Labour Government’s promised shift of care from hospital to community.
“Across the country, waiting lists are falling and the number of appointments are rising. But as we build our NHS fit for the future, we know that we need to see more care closer to home and that’s why I’m so pleased that our community will feel the benefit.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We are building an NHS fit for the future, one that fits around people’s 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.”
