New neighbourhood models proposed for key community services in York

City of York Council’s key community services could transform to provide more localised help and support for residents if plans are approved at a meeting later this month [Executive, 12 December].

Councillors will be asked to consider plans to reshape early intervention and prevention services around four new integrated neighbourhood teams; central, east, north and west York.

If approved, the new neighbourhood teams would bring together professionals from different organisations across health, care and community services, housing, parks and open spaces, to build community capacity.

The model would also cover services provided by other organisations, including NHS bodies, for-profit and not-for-profit providers and community groups and individuals, building on existing, successful multi-agency work in the city around mental health, frailty, family and community hubs.

The aim is to deliver more joined up preventative care at a neighbourhood level by sharing resources and information, meeting needs that can only be met with a team-based approach; providing personalised care for people with complex needs and helping people to stay well for longer through preventative work.

The proposals seek to address some of the rising cost of care and challenges for health services relating to the demographic mix in the city and the increasing gap in health inequalities across wards.

The new model also aims to respond to future changes in York’s population, including a 23% increase in the number of residents of state pension age over the next 20 years; a doubling of the number of over 85s by 2040; and a predicted increase in the number of GP appointments needed in York from 340,000 to 400,000 per year. 

Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Claire Douglas said:

“This new approach is crucial to ensuring residents receive the support they need close to where they live, and that services are based around the individual strengths and assets of each community. It is central to our Council Plan commitment of developing a health generating city, where inequality narrows over time.

“It’s a different way of thinking about how people’s needs are met to ensure they’re supported to live healthy, fulfilling lives. We’ll develop this model in partnership and it will take time, but I’m confident it will deliver greatly improved outcomes right across our city”.   

If the plans are approved, further work will be done to re-shape existing services, creating four new integrated neighbourhood teams, in line with the council’s priorities set out in the Council Plan for 2023-27 'One City, for All'. They include ‘working with the York Health and Care Partnership to strengthen York’s integrated prevention and early intervention mode’.