As part of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, local health and care leads in Hastings and Rye recently welcomed Dr Minal Bakhai, Programme lead and Director of primary care and community transformation at NHS England, to see how joined-up care is being delivered across Sussex.

The visit included Rye Hub, Conquest Hospital’s Tressell Ward and Station Plaza in Hastings, showcasing how partners are working together to bring health, care and wellbeing services closer to local communities. Examples included earlier support for people with respiratory conditions, stronger frailty care and improved hospital discharge pathways.

Discussions also explored how to improve access in rural and deprived areas, strengthen voluntary sector partnerships and address barriers such as estates and procurement. Dr Bakhai praised Sussex’s strong whole-system approach and
commitment to neighbourhood health.

Hastings and Rother is one of 43 local places participating in the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme to set up neighbourhood health services. Neighbourhood health is about bringing care closer to where people live, strengthening prevention, and making sure services are joined up across the NHS, local government, social care, and the voluntary sector.

Stay tuned for more updates on neighbourhood health in action.