Neighbourhood Health Centres (NHCs) are central to this ambition, offering a way for local communities to shape how services are provided in their area. With varied interpretations of what an NHC could be based on local challenges, the potential is exciting - but it also poses risks. Without a shared understanding of what defines a Neighbourhood Health Centre, we face inconsistency, confusion, and missed opportunities to transform care.
This is why introducing a clear set of NHC principles and standards is not only helpful, it’s essential.
Standard Principles: Building consistency without limiting local flexibility
A successful NHC needs more than a collection of services under one roof. It requires agreed standards that shape the environment and experience. These include target space standards, an agreed Standard Specification for Healthcare, and thoughtful decisions about how spaces should be used.
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Multi-functional and shared rooms
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Limited dedicated spaces to maximise flexibility
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Shared reception and waiting areas
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Reduced “names on doors” to discourage siloed working
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Spaces that encourage colleagues to interact and integrate
These principles are about more than efficient use of buildings - they support collaborative, team-based care. When services share physical and operational space, they are better able to design care around the patient, rather than around traditional organisational boundaries.
New Ways of Working: Designing services around patients, not systems
At their best, NHCs will enable services to be integrated around the needs of local people. This means designing care so that it feels seamless, personal, and accessible. Technology plays a key role here - from digital appointment systems to PropTech tools that support better use of buildings.
Crucially, the principles also encourage:
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Virtual appointments taking place outside of clinical rooms
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Use of smaller interview or touchdown spaces
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Multiparty group rooms to support community-led initiatives
By embedding these ways of working, NHCs can create environments that support prevention, wellbeing, and early intervention - not just clinical care.
Managing occupation: Making spaces work harder for everyone
To make this model sustainable, we need modern, flexible approaches to managing space. This includes:
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An overarching occupancy agreement led by a neighbourhood partner
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Room booking platforms such as NHS Open Space
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Utilisation sensors to monitor how space is used
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Flexible allocation of rooms depending on need
These tools help ensure that every square metre of an NHC is used well, supporting value for money while improving access for patients and staff.
A clear vision will drive progress
Local NHS colleagues have expressed a clear need for an overarching vision that defines what an NHC is - and what the public should expect from one. We expect further guidance from government and with shared principles and standards, we can support productive local dialogue, accelerate delivery, and ensure consistency of experience across all communities. At the same time, local flexibility is protected: areas can still design services that meet the specific needs of their population.
Introducing these principles isn’t about imposing a model, it’s about empowering people with a common foundation so they can build neighbourhood health services that truly work for them.
Find out more
In our new report, Making Neighbourhood Health Centres a Reality, we take a closer look at how the existing estate can support the delivery of NHCs.
The report includes our key recommendations and practical steps to deliver neighbourhood health services in improved facilities and at pace.
If you’re planning NHCs or transforming your space and want some support, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team below.
