Health on the high street in Buckinghamshire

Overview

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) piloted a new initiative called health on the high street (HoHS) in Aylesbury town centre, which has provided local residents with improved access to a range of health and care services. 

What the organisation faced

Data shows that Aylesbury has higher levels of deprivation and lower life expectancy than other areas in the rest of the county. There was a recognition from BHT and partners at Buckinghamshire Council, other health service providers, and voluntary organisations that public services that serve these communities need to be easily accessible for people across Aylesbury, supporting more people to get right care at the right time. 

Improvement

The HoHS initiative enabled healthcare services to be delivered alongside public health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as social support services in the middle of the local town. Creating an integrated service centred around the needs of our local people and communities where people shop, meet and work. 

Outcomes

In the first 18 months the unit was accessed by over 26,000 and supported residents to reduce their, weight, blood pressure and access vaccinations as well as support to tackle social isolation for some of the most vulnerable communities.

Jade, Adeline and Matt’s story

As a new parent to baby Adeline, Jade needed advice and support on breastfeeding. Matt had noticed that around the time Adeline was born his blood pressure kept dropping. 

When Adeline was two weeks old Jade took her to a drop-in health visitor session at HoHS in Aylesbury. While there she was able to access support from a breastfeeding volunteer, which led to Adeline being referred for additional support for her tongue tie. She was also able to breastfeed there in a welcoming space, improving Jade’s confidence of breastfeeding in public. 

While accessing these health visiting services Jade and Matt were able to do a quick health MOT. After using the kiosk Matt was able to make small changes and, with the advice provided, his blood pressure return to normal. 

Jade and Matt now track their health through regularly using the kiosk

In October 2024 after one year of operation, Healthwatch Bucks supported in collating feedback on the service:

• Over a quarter of respondents came across HoHS by walking past the unit in Friars Square Shopping Centre.
• The majority were happy with the range of clinics and self-services and there was also feedback suggesting an appetite for further clinics/services and opening times.
• Most people rated their overall experience of HOTH as excellent or outstanding.

BHT is now working towards opening a second Health on the High Street in Wycombe. 

Further information

For more detail on this improvement insight, contact Gemma Thomas, director of strategy at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust: gemma.thomas2@nhs.net