Neighbourhood health centres support the NHS shift towards prevention, early intervention and more integrated care delivered closer to home. They bring together general practice, community health services, social care, local authorities and civil society organisations in a single, accessible place.

This section brings together the national specification, planning and delivery guidance, and supporting tools to help systems plan, design and deliver neighbourhood health centres at scale.

Design and performance specification

The neighbourhood health centres design and performance specification sets out the spatial, functional and design requirements for neighbourhood health centres as shared community assets.

It supports flexible, high‑utilisation buildings with shared and bookable space, extended opening hours and integrated operating models that move away from traditional service boundaries.

Design is led by people and place, with inclusive, dementia‑friendly environments, clear wayfinding and non‑institutional settings that reflect local identity and reduce barriers to access.

Buildings are future‑ready rather than fixed. The specification is based on long‑life, loose‑fit principles, standard rooms and modern methods of construction, enabling centres to adapt as service models, workforce roles and population needs change.

Neighbourhood health centres also form part of a digitally connected, net zero and resilient system. Smart building technology shared digital infrastructure and low‑carbon design support productivity, sustainability and continuity of care across the wider neighbourhood health network.

Supporting tools

NHS England has published a set of supporting tools to help systems plan capacity, utilisation and layout, and align service models with estate solutions.

• activity calculator
• schedule of accommodation
• illustrative layout drawings

Planning and delivery guidance

The neighbourhood health centre guidance supports regions and integrated care boards (ICBs)to translate the 10 Year Health Plan into practical estate and capital decisions.

There is a clear expectation to maximise existing estate first. Refurbishment, repurposing and better utilisation should be prioritised where possible. New build should be used selectively where it offers the strongest value for money and service fit.

Who this is for

This guidance is for:

• ICBs and NHS regional teams
• Commissioners and providers across primary, community and mental health services
• Estates, finance, digital and transformation leads
• Local authority and voluntary and community sector partners