Health or healthcare? Why a Community of Practice is key to getting neighbourhood health right
The London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice (CoP) was established to connect the staff and volunteers supporting Londoners’ health, fostering cross-sector collaboration to inform the development of neighbourhood health across the capital.
In this blog, Javina Sehgal, Director of Primary Care for West and North London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Neighbourhood Implementation Community of Practice task and finish group, reflects on why this multi-sector network is vital to delivering neighbourhood health in London. She also shares some of the Community of Practice’s recent activities, from creating opportunities to share learning and best practice to identifying and spreading effective approaches that can improve outcomes for Londoners.
Neighbourhood health is nothing new. It has been high on the agenda for ten years or more, with successive governments in England calling for new ways of working to support the health of our communities. In September 2024, Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the NHS in England marked a major turning point, with clear evidence of why neighbourhood working was crucial for addressing longstanding challenges, such as access to services, personalised care and inequitable health outcomes.
With the publication of Neighbourhood health guidelines in January 2025, the 10 Year Health Plan for England in July 2025, and the Neighbourhood Health Framework in March 2026, we now have a shared direction to help us make this model of care a reality. Yet, key to its success is ensuring that neighbourhood health is delivered as an integrated health service, rather than a standalone healthcare service.
What does this mean in practice?
Local authorities; the NHS; Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE); and community partners all have a part to play in supporting Londoners with their health and wellbeing. The neighbourhoods model recognises this need for multi-sector collaboration to ensure people can access the right support and care more quickly.
Bridging this gap has been central to the London Neighbourhood Health Delivery Programme. In the year and a half since it began, it has celebrated major milestones, including a pan-London commitment to delivery; neighbourhoods defined across all of the capital; and London ICBs committing in excess of £100 million to invest in services and neighbourhood working.
There have also been five task and finish groups set up to facilitate multi-sector working. This includes:
- Digital;
- Neighbourhood Commissioning and Contracting;
- Neighbourhood People;
- Neighbourhood Infrastructure; and
- Neighbourhood Implementation Community of Practice.
This final task and finish group is central to ensuring genuine collaboration and learning between sectors to support Londoners’ health and wellbeing. It includes regular engagement activities, such as the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice (CoP), which meets online to discuss real-world challenges and best practice.
What is the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice?
Neighbourhood health is not something that any one organisation can deliver on its own. If we are serious about improving outcomes for residents and reducing inequalities, we need local government, health, social care, primary care, the voluntary sector and communities themselves working together around the needs of people rather than organisational boundaries. That is why the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice is so important.
There is some brilliant work already happening across our region, with clear opportunities to spread best practice for the benefit of Londoners. The CoP aims to connect these insights, as well as foster peer learning, cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange. These real-world insights then feed into the London Neighbourhood Delivery Board and Task and Finish groups, supporting problem solving and shaping the neighbourhood model for London.
For me, the CoP is much more than a meeting or engagement forum. It is a digital space where people can come together to share what they are doing, learn from one another and have honest conversations about both the opportunities and the challenges we face. The purpose is not to have all the answers. The purpose is to learn together and help shape the future direction of neighbourhood health across London.
Why is cross-sector collaboration so valuable?
One of the things that has struck me most as part of this work is the willingness of people across London to come together, share their experiences and help each other learn.
What has been particularly encouraging is the breadth of voices involved. Colleagues from across local government, health, social care, primary care, the VCFSE sector and neighbourhood teams have all contributed their perspectives. The quality of the discussion has reinforced something many of us already know: there is a huge amount of expertise, innovation and commitment already out there. We do not need to start from scratch. We need to create the conditions for people to learn from one another and build on what is already working.
Throughout our conversations, I have been encouraged by the openness and generosity people have shown. Colleagues have been willing to share not only success stories, but also the practical realities of delivery. They have spoken honestly about workforce pressures, financial challenges, the complexity of partnership working and the barriers that can get in the way of doing the right thing for residents. That honesty is incredibly valuable because it helps ensure that our thinking remains grounded in real experience rather than theory.
One of the strongest messages I have heard is that people broadly support the ambition of neighbourhood health. The challenge is not whether this is the right direction. The challenge is creating the conditions that allow people and organisations to work differently. We repeatedly hear about the importance of trust, relationships, shared ownership and clear accountability. These are often just as important as structures, processes and governance.
What is next for the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice?
Looking ahead, my hope is that the CoP continues to grow as a trusted learning network for London. A place where colleagues can share experiences, challenge thinking, celebrate success and support one another through the realities of delivery. I want it to be known as a space where people feel welcomed, valued and able to contribute, regardless of where they work or what role they hold.
Most importantly, I hope it helps us stay focused on what matters most. Not programmes, structures or organisations, but improving the lives of the residents and communities we are all here to serve. If neighbourhood health is to succeed, it must be shaped with people rather than designed for them. We need to continue listening carefully to voices that are not always heard. Residents, carers, frontline staff, community organisations and local partners all bring valuable perspectives.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far. The willingness people have shown to engage, share and challenge constructively gives me real confidence about what we can achieve together as we continue this journey.”
Javina Sehgal
Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)
Neighbourhood Implementation Community of Practice task and finish group
Discover the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice resource hub
To learn more about the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice, or access resources such as webinar recordings and slides, please visit the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice resource hub.
Sign up to the London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice
The London Neighbourhoods Community of Practice is open to colleagues working within London who are actively delivering, or will be delivering, in neighbourhood health. If you would like to join the Community of Practice, please email PPL. Members are also invited to join the LinkedIn group, which is a dedicated space to connect, collaborate and learn from one another.