Publication date: 01/07/2026
High Intensity Use (HIU) services offer an example of how neighbourhood working can look in practice, providing a person-centred model of care that improves health outcomes while also reducing avoidable demand on urgent and emergency care. The report draws on research conducted with two of our HIU services: in the East Riding and in Brighton and Hove.
Through in-depth interviews with people supported by services, service staff, and NHS and wider system professionals working closely with them, we identify learning for local systems and national policymakers to consider when designing and delivering neighbourhood health.
Our five lessons for neighbourhood health:
The importance of person-centred care in meeting complex needs
Utilising partnerships and cross-sector coordination to connect people with the right support
Investing time to build relationships and break down barriers to care
The value of the non-clinical workforce in addressing the wider determinants of health
The role of funding and commissioning levers in incentivising neighbourhood working
Additional information
- Organisation: NHS Mid and South Essex ICB
- Contact: [email protected]