New partnership launched to support community healthcare in Hertfordshire
It's set to help care provisions move away from hospitals and into the community
A partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Social Finance and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been launched to expand community-based healthcare in South and West Hertfordshire.
The collaboration will use around £10 million of social investment to test a model that shifts care away from hospitals and into neighbourhood settings.
It is the first scheme of its kind in the UK to apply a repayable grant mechanism to NHS services, with the aim of creating a sustainable, long-term framework that could be replicated elsewhere.
The funding will support the Neighbourhood Transformation Fund, which focuses on older people living with multiple health conditions. Key elements include:
- Proactive Anticipatory Care Model: Delivered by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, multi-disciplinary teams will provide holistic, person-centred support for up to 2,000 people across four neighbourhoods.
- Repayable Grant Mechanism: The NHS will only release funds when the new model demonstrably reduces hospital admissions and costs, tying payment to measurable results.
- Neighbourhood Integrator: A Community Interest Company will be set up to reinvest savings into local services and attract further investment.
- Anchor Offer: Supported by a grant from Macmillan, this will provide shared infrastructure, small grants to grassroots organisations, and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
The initiative is designed to encourage long-term, preventative care, in contrast to traditional funding structures that often focus on short-term hospital treatment.
It is part of the wider work of the South & West Hertfordshire Health & Care Partnership, which brings together NHS organisations, local authorities, and community groups.
Matthew Coats, Chief Executive of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“This has the potential to be a game-changer for how we care for elderly patients with multiple conditions. We want to support people to stay in their own homes by providing care in a smarter, more proactive way so we provide the longer-term support people need. Hospitals can only ever be part of the solution. By harnessing the collective expertise, support and local know-how of a wide range of partners and community groups, we can provide a truly tailored, joined up and effective service for people in their home and within their local area.
This innovative financial partnership allows us to invest in proactive, preventative services in a way that is financially responsible and sustainable for the long term – but also one which is directly linked to results through lower hospital admissions.”
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“The challenges facing the healthcare system are complex and widespread, and no organisation can solve them alone. The Government’s neighbourhood health agenda is an important opportunity for us to work together differently and do better. At Macmillan we’re here to create change for people with cancer. This means focusing on putting the people who are having the worst experiences at the heart of the solutions being created. We’re incredibly proud to be part of this partnership in West Hertfordshire, where we’re using innovative ways of funding healthcare projects to empower people in the local community to create the services they need. Together we're building a more equitable and effective healthcare system from the ground up. We’re creating a blueprint for change that we can roll out across healthcare services.”
Caroline Gadd, Chief Executive of Social Finance, said:
“For too long, short-term funding has been a major barrier to transforming our health system. This repayable grant model, also known as a non-profit social investment model, provides the long-term, outcome-driven investment needed to build robust community-based services that truly put people first. It's a scalable and sustainable approach that we believe holds the key to unlocking a healthier future for communities across the UK. Fifteen years after Social Finance launched the first ever Social Impact Bond (SIB), this partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable healthcare funding and delivery, providing a blueprint for a more effective, patient-centred, and integrated future.”
The initiative is expected to support a shift in how healthcare is delivered locally, with a focus on preventative, joined-up services aimed at keeping people well and reducing reliance on hospital-based care.