Care Closer to Home: What the 2026 Conference Means for Northern Ireland: Shaping neighbourhood care through leadership, community partnership and continuity
Key points
Neighbourhood care must be intentionally designed, locally shaped and supported beyond goodwill alone.
Community involvement is essential, people must see how their voices influence decisions.
Continuity of care remains one of primary care’s strongest evidence‑based assets.
System alignment across data, workforce, estate and outcomes is critical for progress.
Northern Ireland has a unique opportunity to develop neighbourhood models collaboratively and purposefully.
The Care Closer to Home Conference, held on 24 February 2026, highlighted the urgent need for intentional, well‑supported neighbourhood models across the UK and Northern Ireland. Speakers emphasised that genuine integration requires time, clarity, shared purpose and meaningful community partnership. A central theme was the importance of continuity of care, shown to improve safety, outcomes and patient experience. For Northern Ireland, the opportunity now lies in aligning ambition, resources and leadership to build neighbourhood systems that are locally rooted and sustainably designed.
This short reports summarises some of the key takeaways from the Care Closer to Home Conference for health and social care leaders, and other key stakeholders, in Northern Ireland.
