Care closer to home: Major new neighbourhood health model launched for Northern Ireland

People across Northern Ireland could soon see more health and wellbeing support delivered closer to where they live, following the launch of a major new neighbourhood care framework by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

The new Neighbourhood Model of Health and Wellbeing Framework, published today by the Department of Health, marks a significant shift in how care is planned and delivered, with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention and supporting people to remain independent at home for longer.

At the heart of the plan is a move away from a hospital-first model towards more proactive care delivered in local communities — a change designed to ease pressure on stretched health and social care services while improving outcomes for patients and families.

The framework forms a central part of the Department’s Reset Plan and signals what the Minister described as the beginning of a “major shift” in the system.

A major shift in how care is delivered

Under the new approach, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams will bring together health and social care providers, local councils and the voluntary and community sector to deliver more joined-up support in communities.

The model aims to tackle health inequalities, strengthen preventative care and improve continuity of support, while reducing the need for hospital attendance where appropriate.

Minister Nesbitt said:

“It is well-known that demand for HSC services is rising, workforce pressures are intensifying, and our current ways of working don’t have the capacity to cope.”

He added:

“What has become clear is that doing more of what we’ve always done won’t get us where we need to go. We need to do things differently.”

The first phase of implementation will focus on four core pillars:

• Integrated Neighbourhood Teams

• Moving care closer to home

• A neighbourhood innovation programme

• Strengthening neighbourhood relationships and connections

Older people will be the initial priority, with plans aimed at earlier support, smoother hospital discharge and better access to services that help them remain at home.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“The priority will be earlier, proactive support, smoother discharge from hospital, and better access to enable older people to thrive at home which is where they really want to be.”

Putting communities at the centre

A key theme running through the framework is partnership working, with local communities and service users expected to play a much more active role in shaping services.

Patient and Client Council chair Ruth Sutherland CBE said the approach offers an opportunity to reshape the relationship between the health system and the public.

She said: “Working in partnership, in your neighbourhood, to shape services that work for your community is the best way to achieve results.”

She added that the model represents a move from services being done “to, or for” people, towards a system built around working “with people in communities.”

That community-first emphasis is expected to resonate strongly across areas such as Ballymena and Mid and East Antrim, where local voluntary organisations, councils and health providers already work closely on a range of wellbeing and support initiatives.

£10 million investment to support transformation

Northern Ireland’s health service in numbers

Backing the long-term transformation, Macmillan Cancer Support has committed up to £10 million over the next three to five years through its Neighbourhood Transformation Fund.

Gemma Peters, CEO of Macmillan, said the investment is designed to help close service gaps and create more seamless support.

She said: “By working in partnership, we are moving away from inconsistent service gaps towards a new standard of excellence.”

She added: “Our investment is not just about increasing capacity, it is about ensuring that seamless, equitable care becomes a reality for every person in need of expert support when it matters most.”

The funding model will also include redirecting resources from hospital settings into community services, alongside dedicated funding for neighbourhood teams and wider partnership opportunities.

Built on experience and evidence

The Neighbourhood Model will be supported by the establishment of 17 new Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) serving average populations of 115,000, operating within GP Federation footprints

The framework follows months of consultation and engagement, with the Department gathering evidence from across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Between August 2025 and January 2026, officials worked with GP federations, trusts, community pharmacies, councils, voluntary organisations, patients, carers and service users.

A public call for evidence attracted 183 submissions, covering everything from GP-led services and pharmacy initiatives to dementia-friendly programmes, transport schemes and mental health partnerships.

Across those submissions, recurring themes included the need for sustainable funding, stronger trust between organisations, shared data systems and genuine co-production with communities.

Concluding the launch, the Minister said:

“By making this shift together, we will be building a neighbourhood-focused system that delivers better health and wellbeing outcomes for absolutely everyone across Northern Ireland - today and for generations to come.”

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At a glance

• New neighbourhood health and wellbeing framework published by the Department of Health

• Led by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt

• Focus on bringing more care closer to people’s homes

• Aims to reduce pressure on hospitals

• Older people identified as the first priority group

• Four-pillar model includes local integrated teams and innovation

• Built from 183 evidence submissions

• Up to £10 million committed by Macmillan

• Major long-term transformation planned across Northern Ireland