How Does Integrated Care Do With, Not for, Neighbourhoods & Communities?

Area of Science:

• Integrated care research
• Community-based health services
• Public health policy

Background:

• Recent focus on structuring integrated care around 'neighbourhoods' and 'communities'.
• Global adoption of these principles in national policies and local innovations.
• Challenges exist in integrating community/neighbourhood working with established structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To debate how integrated care can authentically adopt community and neighbourhood principles.
• To clarify the definitions and practical utilization of 'neighbourhoods' and 'communities' in integrated care.
• To identify strategies for overcoming barriers to effective community and neighbourhood working.

Main Methods:

• International roundtable discussion at the International Conference on Integrated Care 2026.
• Expert contributions from policy, practice, community, and research sectors.
• Debate focused on practical implementation and systemic integration.

Main Results:

• 'Neighbourhoods' defined as geographical areas; 'communities' as relational connections.
• Addressing power/resource imbalances necessitates investment in the voluntary sector and whole-system responsibility.
• Professional skills development requires embedding neighbourhood working in education.
• Organisational capacity building involves shared outcome metrics and processes.

Conclusions:

• Authentic adoption of neighbourhood and community principles in integrated care requires clear definitions and practical strategies.
• Systemic changes, including investment, education, and performance metrics, are crucial for sustainability.
• Research must support this change process through co-produced and accessible methodologies.