Nottingham rolls out ‘digital-enabled’ Neighbourhood Health Service

Nottingham City aims to “set a blueprint for digital-enabled neighbourhood health” across England, said Alexis Farrow, programme director at Digital Notts.

The city is one of 43 areas in England to roll out the Neighbourhood Health Service from September 2025, as part of  the NHS 10 year health plan ambition to move care from hospital to community.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Health News, Farrow explained how digital transformation will play a significant role in Nottingham City’s new integrated neighbourhood teams (INTs), which will include specialists from primary and secondary care, mental health, race health inequalities, cardiovascular disease and frailty.

“Our digital transformation programmes will enable Nottingham City INTs to deliver more integrated, efficient, and equitable care – anchored in local communities but powered by technology.

“This approach not only supports the ambitions of the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme but also sets a blueprint for digital-enabled neighbourhood health across the integrated care system (ICS) and the country.

“Building on the strong foundation of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS digital transformation strategy and existing digital transformation programmes, digital will be a critical enabler for the success of the INTs, supporting joined-up, proactive, and person-centred care for all our communities,” Farrow said.

Key to the neighbourhood health service is the Notts Care Record, which launched in summer 2025, a shared care record that consolidates data from GPs, hospitals, mental health, community services, and social care. 

“This holistic view of patients will enable rapid, informed decision-making, enhance care coordination, reduce duplication, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients, especially those with complex needs or multiple long-term conditions,” Farrow said. 

The Notts Care Record will be expanded and accessed by the INTs and organisations involved in patients’ direct care, supporting personalised care and end of life care planning as required.

Nottingham will also continue to focus and improve the use of its local patient engagement portal, which is embedded within the NHS App.

“Nottingham was one of the first systems to offer this, enabling residents to access their personal health records, appointments, and test results, and to share information with healthcare providers and carers.

“This supports self-management, shared decision-making, and a more personalised care experience,” Farrow explained.

As the NHS moves from analogue to digital, Farrow is conscious of the challenges that some of Nottingham’s communities face in accessing digital health services.

“Digital inclusion is already successfully embedded across our system.

“Last year, our Digital Inclusion programme supported over 6,000 residents and facilitated over 1,500 digital health skills sessions across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire reducing inequalities and developing digital confidence for those who need it the most.

“INTs across Nottingham City will include digital inclusion work with Community Health Hubs and digital literacy initiatives, ensuring that digital tools are accessible to all, helping to bridge the digital divide and reach underserved groups.

“Neighbourhood work will be further supported by advanced analytical capabilities, including risk stratification tools that identify those most at risk and enable targeted, preventative interventions,” she explained. 

Nottingham is also exploring robotic process automation to help reduce routine admin activities and a greater understanding of how AI can be utilised.

“At a practical level, we will ensure that our IT infrastructure is fit for purpose.

“We know that ensuring colleagues have access to the right hardware, software and digital training can be just as important to the success of these programmes” Farrow said.