NHSE sets requirements for neighbourhood health centres

A building can be designated a “neighbourhood health centre” (NHC) without offering mental health services, urgent or minor-injuries care, diagnostics or an on-site pharmacy, as determined by NHS England criteria published this week.

Guidance issued by NHSE set the minimum threshold for a building to qualify as an NHC at two functions: an on-site general practice and a community health or integrated neighbourhood team presence. Centres must be open at least 12 hours a day, six days a week.

All other services commonly associated with a “one-stop shop” health centre appear only in the larger tiers of the accompanying design specification, or are not required at any tier.

The specification sets out three tiers of NHCs. It notes, however, that: “The precise mix of complementary services, including diagnostics and other hospital-to-community functions, will vary by place according to local need and the wider service model.”

In relation to NHC’s mental health services, the guidance says it “focuses on primary care‑led and early intervention support, closely integrated with GP services”, meaning “community-based mental health centres complement, rather than replace, NHCs”.

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Source: HSJ, 15 April 2026