Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that parents with children in hospital have access to care close to their home.

On 3 July 2025, the Government published the 10-Year Health Plan, setting out its vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service to bring care into local communities, transform access to health services, and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. This will mean millions of patients, including children with complex and chronic needs, are treated and cared for closer to their home.

The Government aims to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community by 2035, building care closer to where children live, learn and play. We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, which will support systems across the country to test new ways of working, share learning, and scale what works. This Programme will inform future strategy and policy development, and outcome metrics will be rigorously monitored.