East Brighton team wins regional NHS Excellence Award for neighbourhood health
The East Brighton Integrated Community Team (ICT) has been recognised in the NHS Excellence Awards - winning the South East award for Neighbourhood Health.
The ICT won the regional award and is now shortlisted for the national ceremony, in recognition of its innovative work to improve people’s access to the care they need and reduce health inequalities.
The East Brighton team is improving neighbourhood health by focusing on the needs of the local community and identifying new ways to support people closer to home.
East Brighton is an area where many residents experience significant health and social challenges, including long-term health conditions, poor mental health, insecure housing and unemployment.
Many people in this diverse community face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services. Local data shows higher than average A&E attendance and hospital admissions that could have been prevented, alongside lower uptake of cancer screening and services that support people to stay well and prevent health problems before they become serious.
At the heart of the team’s approach is the Whitehawk Health Hub, which launched in November 2024.
The Hub operates a weekly open-access drop-in service with no appointment needed, bringing together healthcare professionals and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations at Robert Lodge - a trusted community space on a local housing estate.
Residents can access support from a wide range of professionals in a single visit, including GPs, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mental health practitioners, benefits advisors and housing support services.
The aim is to provide earlier intervention, personalised care and practical support for both medical and non-medical needs.
Alongside the hub, the ICT team has also delivered outreach sessions in trusted local venues such as food projects and women’s groups - helping to reach people who may face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services.
These sessions focus on prevention and early intervention, including blood pressure checks, health literacy support, cancer screening awareness, digital inclusion and NHS App support.
The team has also introduced targeted support for specific groups, including a peer-led Pain Café and a proactive community respiratory clinic for patients at higher risk of going into hospital.
Over the past 15 months, the neighbourhood hub model has delivered measurable benefits for residents, communities and staff. The weekly drop-in service alone has supported 1,269 residents, with more than half of attendees reporting they would otherwise have sought help from their GP.
Debs Cain, the team’s Operations Manager, says:
We recognise that not all people that turn up at the GP practice need to see a GP or a nurse.
By embedding our services in the local community, I like to think that we are breaking down those barriers to health care, whether it's a waiting list or traveling or just not knowing where to go.
East Brighton ICT is one of 15 in place across Sussex, bringing health and care partners together with the community to address local needs and improve health outcomes.
Dr Rebecca Jarvis, Co-Clinical Director for East and Central Brighton PCN (Primary Care Network), said:
We are incredibly proud that the team has been recognised with this award. It reflects the passion, commitment and partnership working of colleagues, VCSE partners and local communities who have worked together to create services that are more accessible and centred around the needs of residents.
This work has always been about reaching people earlier, reducing barriers to care and supporting communities in ways that genuinely make a difference to their health and wellbeing. To see the impact recognised at a regional level is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.
Dr Adam Fazakerley, Co-Clinical Director, added:
Acknowledgements must go to our ICT team Joe, Oonagh and Debs, the various partner organisations, and to our ICB colleagues who supported us along the way.
Amy Galea, Chief Commissioning Officer - Neighbourhoods and Partnerships for NHS Surrey and Sussex, said:
This award is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through neighbourhood working and strong partnership across health, care and the voluntary sector. The East Brighton model shows how integrated community services can improve access, experience and outcomes for local people.
We are delighted to see the team’s innovative approach recognised and look forward to continuing to build on this work across our communities in neighbourhoods across Surrey and Sussex.
East Brighton ICT has now been entered into the national NHS Excellence awards and winners will be announced on Wednesday 10 June 2026 at NHS ConfedExpo in Manchester.
You can read more about the award-winning Health Hub and the work that the team do over on their website, or by watching the video below.