The government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework sets out a new direction for delivering care closer to home, with services organised around local neighbourhoods.
The framework – published in March 2026 – makes clear that neighbourhood health “won’t be deliverable without the NHS, local authorities and other partners working together.”
This reinforces the role of social care in prevention, community-based support, and reducing hospital and care home admissions.
Throughout May 2026, we will be exploring what this means for adult social care – and in particular what it means for data sharing and digital developments.
Policy briefing
Neighbourhood health and social care data: Policy briefing – 27 May 2026
This briefing outlines the emerging policy direction for neighbourhood health services, and what it could mean for adult social care adult, data sharing and interoperability. It also explores some of the practical questions providers and care associations may wish to consider.
Webinar
Webinar – Neighbourhood health services and the role of social care data – 21 May 2026
This webinar focused on the critical role of data and information sharing in supporting more integrated, community-based care. Speakers highlighted key challenges, opportunities, and real-world perspectives on how social care can contribute to effective data flows within neighbourhood health systems.
Speakers included: Melanie Weatherley – Chief Executive of Walnut Care , Executive Chair at Lincolnshire Care Association, and Co Chair of the Care Association Alliance; Louise Bestwick – Chief Executive of Bradford Care Association; Claire Kennedy – Chief Executive at PPL
News
Neighbourhood health and the role of social care data: news
Key highlights and learnings from the Digital Care Hub webinar, and the emerging policy direction
Articles
Digital Care Insights: Social care and neighbourhood health – 8 May 2026
Katie Thorn, Director of Innovation at Digital Care Hub, reflects on the risks of excluding social care from neighbourhood health plans – and the very real benefits of inclusion as a core partner.
