Pilot sites selected for neighbourhood care scheme

Two councils hope the scheme will "build strong and lasting primary care services" and move more money into local services

Twenty-three surgeries and GP practices will take part in a pilot scheme to improve health and care services in a county, two councils said.

West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council said the locations of the pilot would be spread across two areas in Wellingborough and rural east and south Northamptonshire.

The Reform UK-led councils said surgeries and practices in each area will host a neighbourhood access service, which will offer same-day appointments for patients with one-off illnesses.

The areas would also host a complex care and long-term condition service, which was for people who needed ongoing support for long-term health issues.

The 23 sites are due to open in April 2026, the authority added.

Both councils said the pilot would "build strong and lasting primary care services" and move more money into local services.

Better care

Toby Sanders, the chief executive of NHS Northamptonshire's Integrated Care Board, said the areas had been selected based on "population need and readiness to trial a different approach" to care in the community.

He added: "The services are being funded locally, so will initially run as pilots but if successful there are plans to roll-out to all nine identified neighbourhoods in the county, which would provide additional general practice appointments and capacity.

"Over the next few months, we are keen to work with local communities, providers and organisations to develop these services together to ensure they are the best fit for our local populations."

The councils said the programme would also help GPs "spend more time on preventing illness rather than just reacting" and create "new ways of delivering care which works better for patients".

They said the two services would see GPs, nurses, social care, mental health teams, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations work to provide "more joined-up support" for patients.