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Written question asked by Alex Mayer (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Friday, 3 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Neighbourhood Health Centres: Design

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to ensure biophilic design is embedded into neighbourhood health centres.

Answer

The neighbourhood health centres guidance and specification, published on 15 April 2026, sets out both the strategic framework and the planning requirements for how providers, integrated care boards, and NHS England regions should organise their estates to support neighbourhood health.

As set out in the Neighbourhood Health design specifications, it is expected that new build neighbourhood health centres will meet the Net Zero Building Standard and provide exemplars for low carbon construction and operation. Centres are also required to be healthy buildings, providing well-tempered and well-designed environments.

Beyond this, we expect neighbourhood health teams and services will be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations. While there will be a consistent focus on personalised coordinated care, the centres will look different in different places, and this could include biophilic design.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
14080
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Design Neighbourhood health centres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk