NHS seeks views on shift to community care with 24 Hampshire areas identified for new neighbourhood health scheme
The NHS has identified 24 neighbourhood health areas in Hampshire as part of plans to develop a new way of organising local health and wellbeing services.
The plans are intended to shift care from hospitals into a community setting where it can be more easily accessed and tailored to the populaces needs, with the NHS now seeking the public’s opinion.
James Roach, Director of Primary Care and Local Care for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “The aim of neighbourhood health is exactly that – providing health and care services within local communities and delivering more care closer to home.
“As part of this, we have identified 24 areas across Hampshire that share certain characteristics. This means services can be tailored to better reflect the needs of people living in those communities.
“We’re now asking people in Hampshire for their views to see whether these proposed areas reflect their communities, or whether any adjustments are needed.”
The neighbourhood health areas have been created by considering age of the population, levels of health need, long-term conditions and how services can work together to improve health outcomes. It is an approach which would also involve the NHS working closer with organisations including local councils, police, and the voluntary sector.
It is part of the government’s National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP) with a survey now open for Hampshire residents to give their feedback. The 24 areas does not include Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight or Southampton which will have their own neighbourhood areas.
The survey can be accessed by clicking here and will close at midnight on March 30.