Richmond upon Thames is set to reorganise its health services around the needs of its residents, with a greater focus on neighbourhood-level care and prevention. The Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board met on Thursday, 16 July 2026, to discuss a range of public health priorities, including the outcomes of a seminar on neighbourhood health. The reorganisation aims to reduce inequalities by focusing on prevention and early intervention, organising services around residents and communities for more equitable access, and addressing wider determinants of health such as housing and green space. Tracking of inequalities will be part of six-monthly progress reports to the Board.
Denise Madden, Deputy Executive Lead for Kingston and Richmond Places, reported on the March 2026 seminar, highlighting positive progress made since then. This includes confirmed neighbourhood footprints, an agreed vision and principles, shared delivery priorities, strengthened governance, and funding for early initiatives. The neighbourhood footprints have been confirmed and are organised into three areas: Twickenham, Whitton and Heathfield; Richmond, Ham, Kew and Barnes; and Teddington and Hampton.
Madden emphasised that neighbourhood health is about organising services around residents and communities, with a focus on prevention, early support, reducing inequalities, and joined-up working. The Board will play a central role in sustaining momentum, championing resident and community voice, supporting partner alignment, and receiving assurance on delivery, impact, and inequalities. Championing resident and community voice will be achieved through co-production with communities, leveraging trusted relationships with VCSE organisations, social prescribing, and Healthwatch, and championing a clear, simple narrative about the approach. The vision is that 'every resident should be able to access joined-up support in their local neighbourhood, with services working together as one team to help people stay healthy, independent and connected to their communities.'
The Board noted the key themes from the seminar and the progress made, supporting the continued development of neighbourhood health and care in Richmond. This initiative aims to ensure that services are more closely aligned with the needs of local people and communities. The Richmond Neighbourhood Health initiative has received £250,000 in funding for early initiatives. These include supporting the development of integrated neighbourhood teams focusing on frailty, end-of-life care, care home residents, and housebound individuals; supporting voluntary, community, and social enterprise initiatives focused on long-term conditions and early prevention; developing the Richmond Directory for consistent information and support; embedding 'Making Every Contact Count' to promote prevention and early intervention; establishing community assessment days for musculoskeletal conditions; and investing in the legal infrastructure for partnerships.
The shared delivery priorities for neighbourhood health align with national and South West London priorities, including frailty and support for vulnerable residents, reprovision of outpatient services, urgent and emergency care, improving the interface between primary and secondary care, improving access to general practice, and developing mental health pathways. Richmond has also identified local priorities such as the development of a family proactive anticipatory care model, prevention of cardiovascular disease, improving residents' emotional health and wellbeing, prevention of homelessness, growth in skills and employment, and a cross-cutting focus on carers, equity, and resident engagement.
The Health and Wellbeing Board will receive six-monthly highlight reports on neighbourhood health and care, detailing progress against delivery plans, key risks, emerging impact, and areas requiring Board support or challenge. This reporting route will help the Board maintain strategic oversight, celebrate progress, identify barriers, and provide constructive challenge.
For more details, please refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack for the meeting.
