The LGA’s support, publications, briefings and blogs on neighbourhood health.
Publications
Supporting NHS Strategic Commissioning and Neighbourhood Health, explains how local authority public health teams can support NHS strategic commissioning and the delivery of neighbourhood health. It sets out how councils contribute through data and insight, health improvement and community development to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and support more joined-up, preventative care.
A practical guide outlining how councils can use planning and public health powers to create healthier neighbourhoods. It highlights the strong link between the built environment and health and provides tools and examples to support place-based action that improves wellbeing and prevents ill health.
Showcases how councils and partners are developing integrated health and wellbeing hubs that bring services together in community settings. The publication highlights how co-located services improve access, support prevention and help address wider determinants of health at a neighbourhood level.
This LGA toolkit highlights the growing importance of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) in shaping neighbourhood health. It explains how JSNAs provide the evidence to inform local priorities, reduce inequalities and guide commissioning decisions across health and local government.
Briefings
This LGA briefing summarises the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and sets out the key changes for health and care reform. It highlights the shift towards neighbourhood health, prevention and community-based care, and emphasises the critical role of local government in working with the NHS and partners to deliver place-based, joined-up services.
The LGA’s briefing on the Health Bill outlines local government’s perspective on proposed reforms, highlighting the importance of neighbourhood health and the role of councils in delivering joined-up, place-based care through strengthened local partnerships.
Blogs
This blog from the Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee highlights how geography and distance from services continue to shape people’s health outcomes, with those living further away often experiencing poorer access, delayed care and worse outcomes. It argues that neighbourhood health can help close these gaps by bringing care closer to communities and aligning NHS services with the strengths of local government. By focusing on place, local insight and community assets, neighbourhood health offers a practical approach to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for people wherever they live.
Sean Harris, a Senior Adviser at PPL argues that neighbourhood health cannot be delivered by the NHS alone, emphasising the essential role of local government, VCSE partners and communities. It highlights the need for genuine place-based collaboration to move from policy ambition to practical delivery.
Professor Lisa McNally’s blog powerfully reminds us that neighbourhood health is at its best when Public Health insight, prevention and genuine community partnership come together to create support that feels human, local and truly responsive to people’s lives.
Mike Bridges explores how the new All Together Fairer Neighbourhoods framework aims to strengthen prevention and reduce health inequalities across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Debs Harkins, Director of Public Health at Calderdale Council reflects on Calderdale’s decade- long journey to build neighbourhood health through strong relationships, community anchors and integrated local teams. She describes how a democratic, place -based and prevention- focused approach is improving outcomes, reducing inequalities and embedding health and wellbeing in the everyday lives of communities.
Mike Barker argues that neighbourhood health must be treated not as a service redesign but as a way of governing, rooted in local leadership, relationships and genuine devolution if national policy intent is to become lived reality.