The Department of Health and Social Care has set out the first formal targets and success metrics for neighbourhood health services in England, marking a significant step in the implementation of the government’s wider NHS reform agenda. Published on 17 March 2026, the new Neighbourhood Health Framework provides the clearest articulation yet of how integrated care boards (ICBs), local authorities and partners are expected to design and deliver services at a local level. The framework introduces, for the first time, a structured approach to measuring progress, alongside guidance on governance, delivery models and system responsibilities. It is intended to move neighbourhood health from a broad policy ambition into a more operational, measurable programme.
Defining targets and metrics for local systems
Central to the new guidance is the introduction of “clear metrics for success”, with systems expected to develop locally tailored targets aligned to national priorities. Rather than imposing rigid national performance thresholds, the framework emphasises a place-based approach, allowing local systems to define outcomes that reflect population needs. However, these metrics are expected to focus on key areas such as prevention, access, care coordination and reducing health inequalities.
The framework also sets out a process for establishing these metrics, requiring collaboration between ICBs, health and wellbeing boards and local government partners. This reflects a shift in NHS policy towards outcomes-driven commissioning, where success is measured not only by activity levels but by improvements in population health and patient experience.
Driving the shift from hospital to community care
The neighbourhood health model is a cornerstone of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, which prioritises a transition from hospital-based care to more local, preventative services. Neighbourhood health aims to bring together multidisciplinary teams—including GPs, community nurses, social care providers and voluntary organisations to deliver more coordinated care closer to home.
The new framework reinforces this direction, highlighting the need to reduce reliance on acute services and support people to live independently within their communities. It also identifies priority cohorts, such as people with frailty or complex needs, as early focus areas for integrated neighbourhood teams. Importantly, the guidance aligns with broader NHS planning targets, including improved access to community services and reductions in hospital demand, signalling a more integrated performance regime across care settings.
Digital infrastructure and data at the core
From a health technology perspective, the framework places significant emphasis on the role of digital systems in enabling neighbourhood health. Data sharing and interoperability are identified as critical enablers, with systems expected to develop integrated digital infrastructure that allows professionals across organisations to access and act on shared patient information. This includes the use of electronic patient records, population health management platforms and analytics tools to identify at-risk groups and monitor outcomes in real time.
The framework also supports the wider NHS shift from “analogue to digital”, one of the three core transformations outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan. Digital-first care models are expected to play a growing role, with services delivered “digitally by default” where appropriate, while maintaining in-person care for those who need it. For technology suppliers and NHS digital teams, this signals increased demand for interoperable platforms, data integration solutions and tools that support multidisciplinary working at neighbourhood level.
Governance, collaboration and implementation challenges
The framework also sets out expectations for governance, emphasising joint accountability across NHS organisations and local authorities. Ministers have stressed that neighbourhood health will require “a truly collaborative effort” across sectors, supported by shared structures and incentives.
To accelerate progress, the government has indicated that early financial incentives and national support programmes will be used to encourage adoption and scale successful models.
However, challenges remain. Previous guidance on neighbourhood health was criticised for lacking detail, and while the new framework provides greater clarity, it still allows significant local variation. This flexibility may enable innovation but could also lead to inconsistent implementation across regions. Workforce capacity, digital maturity and funding constraints are also likely to influence how quickly systems can deliver on the new targets.
A pivotal moment for NHS transformation
The publication of the Neighbourhood Health Framework represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of NHS policy, translating long-standing ambitions for community-based care into a more structured and measurable programme. By introducing the first formal targets and metrics, the DHSC has signalled a move towards greater accountability and performance management in neighbourhood health.
For the health technology sector, the implications are substantial. Delivering on the framework’s ambitions will depend heavily on digital infrastructure, data integration and advanced analytics, placing technology at the centre of system transformation. As integrated care systems begin to operationalise the new guidance, the success of neighbourhood health will ultimately depend on their ability to combine local flexibility with national priorities, supported by robust digital foundations and effective cross-sector collaboration.
