- Radcliffe Primary Care Centre named as one of 27 across the country to become a Neighbourhood Health Centre to bring care closer to home
- The centre will provide a one-stop-shop health service on the communities’ doorstep
- Funded by a £2.74m investment pledge from the government
- The centres will have extended hours, have a wide range of health and community support services under one roof, and will provide a tailored help addressing both health and wider causes of health problems
- Government has pledged to rollout 250 centres across the country as part of its landmark 10 Year Health Plan boosting access to healthcare, cutting waiting lists and tackling inequalities.
Radcliffe Primary Care Centre in Bury will be one of the first in the country to be transformed into a neighbourhood health centre – providing a one-stop-shop health service to bring improved healthcare to thousands of patients’ doorsteps
One of 27 across the country, the centre’s refurbishment will be funded by the government as part of its plan to boost access to healthcare, cut waiting lists and tackle inequalities especially among communities whose health needs aren’t being met by making the most of existing NHS estate.
The aim of the scheme is to create a healthier community to prevent long-term ill health. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the centres will help reduce pressure on hospitals while also improve the quality of care and support for individuals, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Currently hosting two GP practices and delivering a broad range of health and wellbeing services – the £2.74m investment pledged will be used to convert the centre’s disused clinical areas into multi use rooms to support outreach, diagnostics, and other community health services.
Set to be completed by 2027, the centre will make it much simpler and faster for local people to get the help they need through a number of ways:
- Extended opening hours will make it easier for locals to fit appointments in around work and childcare
- A greater range of health and community support services will all be brought together under one roof to reduce the need for multiple visits to see different providers and to increase the number of conditions that can be treated locally. These will include urgent treatment, GP and pharmacy services, debt advice, housing and social support, employment advice, family support – all of which can affect a person’s overall well-being.
- Tailored end-to-end care help and support for patients based on their individual needs and beyond the condition, helping to address not just the symptoms of health issues but also wider causes of their health problems. Avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital and frustration of being passed around the system,
Radcliffe, along with the other 26 centres chosen, are all based in areas with higher levels of deprivation and are the first of 50 neighbourhood health centres backed by a total of £200 million in government investment to upgrade existing buildings.
In total the government has pledged to open 250 by 2036, with the first 120 open by 2030.
Lynne Ridsdale, Bury Council Chief Executive and Place-Based Lead for Health said:
“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Radcliffe and for the residents who rely on the services at the Primary Care Centre.
This government investment will help us create a truly integrated space where health, care and wider public services come together under one roof.
Here in Bury we are working together with our partners at the heart of local communities and the services provided at Radcliffe are a prime example of this.
Central to our collaborative approach is our commitment to supporting residents. The Integrated Neighbourhood Team for the area works with local communities and primary and secondary care providers to address health inequalities.
We have also recently expanded the offer in an enterprising way by basing one of our resident welfare hubs within the building. Residents who may be facing financial pressures or who need guidance to navigate essential services can now get advice from our revenue and benefits team providing skilled, face‑to‑face assistance in the centre, helping people with council tax, housing support, income maximisation and crisis payments.
This partnership approach is already making a real difference, and the additional funding will enable the partnership to expand that offer even further for Radcliffe residents.”
Jeanette Leach, North West Regional Director for Community Health Partnerships said:
“I’m incredibly proud that the North West is so strongly represented in the second wave of neighbourhood health centres with Alfred Barrow, Barbara Castle Way and Radcliffe all included. It reflects the dedication, ambition and partnership working that defines our region.
Radcliffe in particular, is a truly exciting project for us at Community Health Partnerships. Working closely with our local partners, we’re transforming an already well‑used primary care centre into a vibrant neighbourhood health hub that will bring a wider range of services directly to the community, with more than just healthcare available.
This investment will allow us to unlock underused space, deliver more integrated care, and support local people to live well in Radcliffe. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reshape how health and wellbeing services are delivered whilst supporting the government’s aims to deliver care closer to home and we’re delighted that Radcliffe is at the forefront of this national programme.”
Colin Scales, Acting Chief Executive for NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“We are very proud to have one of Greater Manchester’s centres be one of the first neighbourhood hubs.
Our aim is to make it easier for everyone to access the health care they need and to reduce the inequality. We believe that turning Radcliffe Primary Care Centre into a neighbourhood health centre will do just that and will have a hugely positive impact on the local community.”
