Cornwall Chosen to Help Shape National Neighbourhood Health Programme

National recognition for local neighbourhood health work

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have secured a place on the Department of Health and Social Care’s National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme. The application built on the area’s existing Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) programme, with five of the 16 INTs already rolling out the new model of care to local people.

A successful partnership bid, made by 26 health and care organisations, means Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are now one of 43 sites nationally helping to shape the future of neighbourhood health. The approach focuses on moving care closer to home, preventing illness, and harnessing digital innovation, in line with the three major shifts set out in the NHS 10-Year Plan published in July.

A focus on prevention and local care

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said:

“This programme is about real partnership – our NHS, councils, and voluntary and community partners working side by side to make care more local, more personal and more effective. By being part of this national initiative, we can go further and faster in shifting care closer to home, preventing illness, and making the best use of digital innovation for our people.”

As part of the bid, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly demonstrated how neighbourhood teams are already supporting people by:

• Providing more care in the community, reducing the need for A&E visits.

• Supporting people earlier, particularly older adults at risk of frailty, to avoid unplanned hospital stays.

• Simplifying hospital care through joined-up teams, virtual appointments, and community assessment days.

• Using digital tools, including AI, to identify people at risk of hospital admission and offer extra support at home.

Voices from health and care leaders

Steve Williamson, Chief Executive, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“Hospitals will always be here for people when they need specialist treatment or emergency care, but the real opportunity lies in helping people to stay well and avoid hospital wherever possible. This programme allows us to share more of our hospital expertise in the community, focus on prevention, and make sure people get care earlier and closer to home. That way, hospital services can be there for those moments when they are truly needed most.”

Debbie Richards, Chief Executive, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We know that health is about more than hospitals. Our neighbourhood teams already bring together GPs, community staff, social care and voluntary partners to support people in the round. This national programme gives us the chance to build on that collaboration, share what we’ve learned, and take forward new ideas with others across the country.”

Kate Kennally, Chief Executive, Cornwall Council, added:

“Good health depends on more than healthcare alone. Cornwall Council brings together housing, social care, public health, and community services, and through this programme we can make sure that people get joined-up support for all aspects of their lives. By working closely with our NHS and voluntary sector partners, we can help prevent ill health, tackle inequalities, and make our communities stronger and more resilient.”

Russell Ashman, Chief Executive, Council of the Isles of Scilly, said:

“Living on the Isles of Scilly brings particular challenges, but also opportunities to show how integrated, community-based care can work in more remote areas. This programme allows us to build on the strong partnerships we already have with NHS and voluntary organisations, so that our islands’ unique communities can access the right care in the right place, while sharing learning that could benefit other rural and coastal areas across the country.”

Emma Rowse, Chief Executive, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, said:

“Voluntary and community organisations are the heartbeat of neighbourhood health – rooted in local communities and trusted by the people they serve. Our role is to connect people with the support that matters most to them, whether that’s social groups, advice, or specialist services. Being part of this national programme means the voluntary sector can continue to shape solutions alongside NHS and council partners, ensuring that local voices drive real change in how care is delivered.”

Local innovations already in action

Examples of neighbourhood health services already operating in Cornwall include:

• Community health and wellbeing workers reducing demand on GPs and improving cancer screening uptake.

• A mobile x-ray car providing rapid diagnosis at home.

• Neighbourhood wellbeing hubs where GPs, council teams, mental health professionals and voluntary groups work together.

• Super clinics for diabetes and orthopaedics, reducing waiting times with all checks completed in one visit.

What the national programme means

As part of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly will be supported by a programme lead to help develop neighbourhood health services.

Using General Practice as the cornerstone, neighbourhood health teams will bring together professionals including community nurses, hospital doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, paramedics, social prescribers, local government and voluntary organisations.

The approach aims to provide end-to-end care and tailored support that looks beyond individual conditions to address wider causes of ill health, prevent complications and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.

The initial focus will be on supporting people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, angina, high blood pressure, MS and epilepsy, particularly in areas of highest deprivation. The programme will expand over time to support other groups and priority patients.

More details on the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams can be found here.