Labour leader criticises new Northamptonshire neighbourhood care pilot for 'missing out people in greatest need'

On Tuesday November 11, the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board announced a pilot for a new neighbourhood care scheme, which ultimately aims to relieve pressure on GP practices.

Wellingborough and Rural East and South in West Northamptonshire (Towcester, Brackley, Roade and surrounding villages) have been selected to pilot the scheme, which is due to start in April 2026. The care board said the neighbourhoods were selected to “provide a mix of rural and urban areas, with varying levels of deprivation, to ensure the model can be evaluated effectively”.

However, Councillor Sally Keeble – leader of the West Northamptonshire Labour group – has criticised the choice of neighbourhoods, specifically naming Northampton as an area that has missed out. She said it is “beyond tragic” that areas “under most pressure are not getting targeted help”.

Cllr Keeble said: “The health challenges in central Northampton are well known. Yet despite this the area has completely missed out on this important health programme. It has also missed out on having a family hub.

“Public services should be targeting areas of need, especially with the early interventions that are most transformative. That means primary and community based health services that can also work with family hubs.

“It is beyond tragic that communities that are under most pressure are not getting targeted help.”

The care board has also said the intention is to roll out the programme across all areas of Northamptonshire, once the pilot has been “evaluated and refined”.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire ICB said: “The New Models of Care programme is being delivered as a pilot, designed to test and learn before wider implementation. The two neighbourhoods were chosen following a rigorous selection process, and provide a mix of rural and urban areas, with varying levels of deprivation, to ensure the model can be evaluated effectively.

“We fully recognise the significant health challenges faced by communities in central Northampton and addressing these remains a priority for the Integrated Care Board. The intention is to roll out this programme across all areas of Northamptonshire once the pilot has been evaluated and refined, so that every community can benefit from the approach. The New Models programme is one of our neighbourhood delivery plans, and we will be working collectively as a system with all of our nine neighbourhoods to develop integrated neighbourhood models of care and support.”

The pilot will see GPs, nurses, social care, mental health teams, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and others coming together to provide joined-up support. Two new services will also launch, which is hoped to free up time in general practice and enable patients with complex and long-term conditions to be seen more quickly and conveniently.

The care board says they are keen to work with local communities, providers and organisations to “develop these services together to ensure they are the best fit for our local populations”.