This is a new way of delivering health and care services that focuses on supporting people closer to home, in their local communities, and helping them stay well for longer.
It brings together the NHS, local councils, social care, and voluntary and community organisations to work as one team around neighbourhoods. By working in a more joined‑up way, services can respond better to local needs and provide care that feels simpler, more connected and more personal.
Neighbourhood health is about shifting care from hospitals into the community wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so. Instead of services working separately, professionals work together across organisations to provide coordinated support that wraps around individuals, families and carers.
The focus is on prevention, early support and ongoing care, helping people manage their health conditions and stay independent for as long as possible.
This approach is aligned with national NHS priorities and the Government's 10‑Year Health Plan, which aims to shift more care out of hospitals and into communities.
Neighbourhood health is designed to feel easier to navigate and more joined‑up for local people.
People should notice that professionals are better connected, meaning they do not have to repeat their story as often and care feels more coordinated. Support will increasingly be provided closer to home, such as through GP practices, community services, local clinics or in people's own homes, rather than relying on hospital appointments.
There will be a stronger focus on preventing problems before they get worse, with earlier help for long‑term conditions and wellbeing. People with more complex needs should experience more proactive, planned support, helping them avoid unnecessary hospital stays and maintain independence.
Neighbourhood health in Kent and Medway is organised around local neighbourhoods, usually based on groups of GP practices and the communities they serve.
Single neighbourhoods
Single neighbourhoods bring together local teams, including primary care, community health services, mental health, social care and voluntary sector partners. These teams work closely to understand local needs and support people in their area and support a population of 30,000 to 50,000 people.
Multi‑neighbourhood working
For services that make sense to deliver at a bigger scale, several neighbourhoods will work together in multi‑neighbourhood arrangements, serving populations of around 250,000. This allows services to share specialist skills, coordinate resources and ensure consistency, while still keeping care locally focused.
This flexible structure allows neighbourhood health to reflect the different communities across Kent and Medway. There will be a core offer for everyone then local services specifically designed around what local people need.
Neighbourhood health is a long‑term change, not a single new service. It will be developed gradually and in phases, building on existing work, services and partnerships.
Some people, particularly those with more complex needs, may see changes earlier as neighbourhood teams strengthen how they work together. For others, changes may be more subtle at first, such as improved coordination between services.
Over time, neighbourhood health will continue to evolve, shaped by local learning, feedback from residents and ongoing collaboration between health, care and community partners.
For people living in Kent and Medway, neighbourhood health means:
Neighbourhood health represents an important step towards a more community‑focused, joined‑up and sustainable health and care system for Kent and Medway.
Health and social care providers are asked to jointly plan neighbourhood health for the local populations with an initial focus on people with the most complex health and care needs.
To help clinicians tailor care for people, especially those with the greatest need, people in Kent and Medway will start to be segmented using the Johns Hopkins tool. This puts people into Patient Needs Groups (PNGs).
PNGs categorise patients into different groups based on the complexity and intensity of their healthcare needs rather than just their medical conditions. Instead of focusing solely on a diagnosis (like diabetes or heart failure ) it takes into account a broader range of health characteristics a patient may have (such as number of repeat prescriptions, A&E attendances and number of long-term conditions) .
PNG segmentation will be introduced first to those patients with highest needs , PNG 10 or 11.
The PNG numbers will start to appear on users NHS App. Find out more about how the NHS App can help you manage your health.
Everyone is different. Some people are very healthy , some have one or two health problems, and some have many health problems.
The PNG system puts people into 11 different groups based on how much care and support they are likely to need.
Your group can change if your health changes.
Green: Low need (~76.9% of the population)
You are healthy or only need a little help. You might just need regular check-ups and advice on staying healthy.
1. Non user
2. Low need child
3. Low need adult
4. Multi morbidity low complex
Amber: Moderate need (~20.8% of the population)
You have some health needs. This group includes people with mental health issues or who are pregnant. You might need some help from your care team to manage your health.
5. Multi morbidity medium complex
6. Pregnant low complex
7. Pregnant high complex
8. Dominant psychiatric/behaviour condition
We understand some people may be surprised by their PNG and find the information worrying.
PNGs are allocated automatically based on information in your health record and have not been inputted individually by your doctor. PNGs are a tool that doctors and nurses use alongside their medical knowledge to make decisions about the best care for you.
This PNG number does not reflect any changes in your health status. It is a simple guide for practices to provide more proactive care and you need not worry or take any action.
If, however, you have questions please ask your doctor more about this at your next appointment.