DHSC sets first targets for neighbourhood health

The first targets for neighbourhood health have been set in long-awaited government guidance.

The neighbourhood health framework, published on Tuesday afternoon, gives several national targets related to GP, elective outpatient and community services.

They include:

• At least 25% diversion rate from outpatient referrals through “single points of access” in at least 10 high‑volume specialties by next March;
• Reduce secondary care outpatient follow-up appointments by at least 10% by next March;
• A 10% reduction in acute outpatient appointments for under‑16s by March 2029;
• A new target date of March next year for GPs to see 90% of clinically urgent patients the same day – an objective first announced last autumn;
• A 10% reduction in non‑elective admissions and bed days for people with mid to severe frailty, care home residents and housebound patients by March 2029;
• A 10% increase in people identified as approaching end of life and a 10% reduction in their non‑elective admissions and bed days by March 2029;
• At least a 10% improvement in evidence‑based clinical outcomes for people with CVD, diabetes, COPD, mental health conditions and dementia; and
• A 10% cent increase in patients with diabetes receiving all eight recommended care‑process elements.

In addition, the framework says that each area – “through” health and wellbeing boards – should agree local priorities and measures, which are likely to focus more on prevention and wider public services.

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Source: HSJ, 17 March 2026