Walsall Together Partnership recently welcomed Dr Minal Bakhai, Senior Responsible Officer for the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP), for a visit showcasing how neighbourhood-based approaches are improving health and wellbeing for local citizens.
During the visit, Dr Bakhai met with clinicians, social care colleagues, housing partners and community organisations, gaining first-hand insight into how integrated, place-based working is helping citizens live well, improve outcomes and maintain independence.
The day began at the Feel Good Friday Clinics, a pilot programme supporting older citizens living with frailty. Dr Bakhai met service users and observed multidisciplinary teams, including GPs, pharmacists, community nurses, occupational therapists and social prescribers, working together to deliver Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments and co-produce personalised care plans.
Early feedback from the pilot indicates improved confidence and independence for citizens, better access to support, and a reduction in avoidable hospital admissions.
Dr Bakhai also learned about whg’s A.C.E (Asthma, Children, Empowerment) programme, which supports children with asthma living in social housing. The programme uses community champions as trusted role models to help families engage with services and build confidence in asthma self-management. In its first year, A.C.E supported 93 children and families, resolved 18 cases of damp and mould, and enabled two families to move into more suitable homes.
The visit continued with representatives from the South Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT), focusing on support for citizens who are housebound, both temporarily and permanently, as well as those who frequently attend services. Discussions explored plans to integrate District Nursing, Rapid Response, Virtual Ward, Mental Health teams and Adult Social Care alongside the Home Visiting Team to deliver more coordinated, proactive care.
Dr Bakhai was also shown around Hatherton Medical Centre, home to the largest GMS space in the country dedicated to core general practice contracted activity. The tour highlighted how the scale and design of the centre support accessible, high-quality primary care and provide a strong base for multidisciplinary neighbourhood working.
Finally, Dr Bakhai met teams from West 2 INT, who are reviewing support for ‘Frequent Flyers’ – citizens in supported housing with high respiratory needs and associated frailty. She heard how tailored, preventative interventions aim to help citizens maintain independence while reducing pressure on emergency services.
The visit provided the partnership with a valuable opportunity to reflect on progress, celebrate innovation, and explore how national support through the NNHIP can further strengthen neighbourhood teams across Walsall in the years ahead.
Reflecting on her visit to the Feel Good Friday Clinics and the Stan Ball Centre, Dr Bakhai highlighted the sense of purpose and connection created through this neighbourhood approach.
“This is what we are trying to bottle – you walk in and you feel it. What you’re doing is what communities respond better to, because it’s what actually matters to them, and that is really at the heart of neighbourhood health and wellbeing. So it was amazing to see.”
Stephanie Cartright, Group Chief Community and Partnerships Officer, added:
“Dr Bakhai’s visit highlighted the breadth and impact of neighbourhood health work in Walsall. It was an excellent opportunity to share learning and discuss how national support through the NNHIP can help us further strengthen our neighbourhood teams.”
