The document discusses opportunities for the NHS to work with local authorities to deliver health services on high streets in ways that regenerate local economies and improve public health. It proposes siting more NHS services in communities rather than new developments, considering health impacts in local planning, and better aligning funding to support multi-functional high streets. Recent initiatives like health hubs in shopping centers show promise, and the post-pandemic environment may present new opportunities to further develop the concept of health on the high street. The document calls for capitalizing on experiences of cross-sector collaboration and influencing the government's high streets agenda to realize this vision.

1. Health on the High Street -
building a healthier future
Michael Wood
Head of Health Economic
Partnerships
NHS Confederation
May 2021
@NHSLocalGrowth

2. LOCAL
GROWTH
STP/ICS
Local Growth and NHS/ICS – cost v investment?
The local growth agenda is about giving a place the
tools to realise its potential, economically and
socially
RDAs
scrapped
and LEPs
created
New sub-
regional
collaborations
Population
health focus
City, Local
Growth,
Town & Devo
Deals
Localisation
of finance
and powers
Local
Authorities as
key partners

3. A five-point plan for every system
https://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/2020/09/health-as-the-new-wealth

4. Health on the High Street
• Can we radically re-think which NHS services could be
more effectively and appropriately delivered in
communities AND in ways that make our high streets
more economically and socially sustainable and the
services themselves more accessible?
• Report focused on:
• Where could NHS make an immediate impact
• Health benefits of having a regenerated high street
• Role of Local Government
• Involving the community
• What we need to drive positive change
• Making sense of the funding
https://www.nhsconfed.org/resources/2020/12/health-on-
the-high-street

5. For Government For the NHS For Local Authorities and
bodies such as LEPs
High Street Expert Panel 2.0
established in direct response
to the pandemic with health
at its heart.
NHS reset plans nationally
and in ICSs should consider
not just how health services
are restored, but where.
Public service delivery
should be considered as
alternative uses within
revitalised high streets.
Commitment to greater
community power in
regeneration and planning
decisions.
A presumption in NHS
planning that siting services
in communities is preferable
to greenfield development.
Local spatial plans should
consider the need for
health services but also the
impact on health.
Better alignment of funding
landscape for repositioning
high streets as healthy, multi-
functional spaces.
NHS Health Infrastructure
Plan should have as key
criteria the adoption of local
approaches to social value.
Health should be seen as a
driver of local economic
development as places
recover from COVID.
Government policy, planning
and funding focused on town
centre regeneration need to
take into account impact on
health and health services.
ICSs and primary care
networks should embed
local economic development
and the high street agenda
in population health
strategies.
Consider promoting
community owned SMEs
that contribute positively
to local economies and
improve physical and
mental health.

6. Life Rooms, Walton
• Refurbishment and reuse of a Carnegie public library as a Life Rooms - resources, learning and
optimism within the heart of community.
• Design, management and operation of the Life Rooms co-produced with service users and other
stakeholders.
On the High Street: Mersey Care is using our
buildings and spaces to support local communities
Life Rooms at the Playhouse Theatre
• Expanding our reach to expand our reach to
marginalised and diverse communities living and
working within the City Centre.

7. • One You Shop in Ashford established in shopping centre
• Joint NHS and local government development, with c500 visitors a month
prior to COVID-19 – ‘discuss our own health, on our own terms, in our own
time’
• Originally focused on ‘lifestyle’ services, it has now extended to provide wider
range of community services

8. New opportunities presenting themselves?
• Immediate focus on vaccinations, healthy places and service delivery
• A revitalised NHS agenda, including: Community Diagnostic Hubs, Cavell
Centres and a revised Health Infrastructure Programme?
• Intention to look at thematic role of health in government funding
• #NHSAnchors exploring this concept

9. Can we influence the High Streets for All mission?

11. How can we realise this change?
• What experiences do we have of working across health and
local government on these issues and how can maximise any
coming opportunities?
• How could Health on the High Street be the building blocks of a
wider understanding of the economic and social impact of health
and care?
• What is our role?
@NHSLocalGrowth Michael.wood@nhsconfed.org