Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 April 2026
Correspondence from NHS Alliance - Neighbourhood Health Estates
From: Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry: Delivering the Neighbourhood Health Service: Estates
Summary
NHS Alliance Director Ruth Rankine writes to the Health and Social Care Committee following her evidence session, providing nine detailed case studies demonstrating successful neighbourhood health estate models across England. These examples span purpose-designed facilities (Whitstable, St George's Romford), repurposed existing estate (St Peter's Burnley), community assets (Somerset gyms, Barrow Hill memorial hall), and mixed approaches (Finchley and Wood Green CDCs), illustrating diverse funding and partnership models to deliver integrated primary and community care.
Key findings
- Whitstable's Estuary View Health Centre demonstrates how purpose-designed multiuse facilities can integrate GP services, urgent care, diagnostics, and day surgery with ARRS workforce expansion, funded through mortgage offset by rental income from co-located providers.
- St George's Health Hub (Romford) generated £43 million for DHSC by selling 85% of former hospital land for housing while retaining 15% for healthcare, establishing a system-asset funding model to avoid void costs.
- St Peter's Health Centre (Burnley) optimises 1,047m² of existing space through LIFT PPP investment of £3.2 million, consolidating three GP practices and integrated services for 54,500 patients.
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust expanded physiotherapy capacity by partnering with commercial gymnasiums at no capital cost, demonstrating scalable use of community assets to reduce waiting lists.
- Finchley and Wood Green CDCs delivered over 770,000 tests using hub-and-spoke model in void estate and shopping centre, with 70% of Wood Green referrals from most deprived areas and measurable local regeneration impact.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Ruth Rankine, NHS Alliance, Whitstable GP partners, NHS North East London, Havering Council, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Notable line
“By leveraging existing community assets at no cost, the model offers a practical, scalable solution for modernising NHS physiotherapy pathways nationwide.”
Key Quotes
“I particularly valued having the opportunity to highlight the experience and views of our members delivering neighbourhood health services in a range of settings”
“Whilst giving evidence, I said I would follow up with a number of case studies of particularly successful existing neighbourhood health approaches in different parts of the country, facing different kinds of challenges.”
“Modern IT systems and data sharing support seamless collaboration, while co-located secondary care clinics reduce hospital travel.”
“A licensing model has enabled integrated working across services, including renal and frailty care relocated from Queen's Hospital, GP services, I ncreasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), children's services and outpatient specialties, alongside VCSE partners.”
“By leveraging existing community assets at no cost, the model offers a practical, scalable solution for modernising NHS physiotherapy pathways nationwide.”
“Over 770,000 tests have been delivered, significantly improving access for Haringey residents and supporting action on health inequalities, with 70% of Wood Green referrals from the most deprived areas.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗