What has been announced? 

The UK government’s 10-year health plan for England signals a clear change – more care delivered in local communities, closer to where people live.  

In March, the Department of Health and Social Care published its Neighbourhood Health Framework, outlining how this model would work in practice. At its core is a move away from hospital-centred care towards neighbourhood-based services, delivered through integrated teams and community hubs. 

The aim is to improve access, support earlier intervention and manage more care locally, reducing pressure on hospitals and acute services. 

Where podiatry fits 

The neighbourhood health framework is still in development. Pilot sites across England are testing how this model could work in practice, with a focus on earlier intervention and more proactive care. A central feature is closer partnership between voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and NHS services. 

While much of the detail is yet to appear, many of the population groups and long-term conditions the model looks to address fall squarely within podiatric practice. 

Foot health plays a significant role in identifying and managing long-term conditions, particularly diabetes, frailty and vascular disease. Podiatrists routinely support people whose needs sit within wider, coordinated care pathways.  

In neighbourhood models, podiatrists are well placed to recognise early signs of deterioration, be that mental or physical health. When captured effectively, this information can support earlier intervention and more preventative approaches to care, including timely review and evidence-based treatment. 

What this could change in practice 

Any sustained change towards neighbourhood care could redefine how NHS podiatry services are delivered. Services may increasingly move out of hospital settings and into community hubs or be integrated into multidisciplinary teams spanning primary and community care. 

This would mean closer working with GPs, nurses and other allied health professionals, supporting earlier intervention, reducing unwarranted variation and strengthening prevention. Referral pathways could become more streamlined, enabling more coordinated care. 

There is also the potential for greater visibility. Where podiatry is routinely included within neighbourhood teams and service pathways, it may become a more consistently accessed service within primary care. 

The implications are not limited to NHS services. Independent podiatry practices are a longstanding part of high street healthcare provision, often providing accessible care for patients who might otherwise face delays within the NHS. 

If neighbourhood models improve access to NHS podiatry services, this could begin to change patient behaviour. The question is not whether independent practice stays relevant, but how its role may evolve. 

This may create opportunities as well as pressures. New referral relationships and collaborative models could appear. Equally, practices that have historically relied on limited NHS access may face new challenges. 

The challenges 

The direction of travel is clear, but significant challenges remain. 

Workforce capacity is a central concern. While podiatry student numbers increased in 2025, it will take time for new entrants to reach clinical practice. In the short term, services are still under pressure, raising questions about how more demand will be met. 

There are also structural issues. Podiatry services in England are currently delivered across a mix of NHS, community and independent settings, often with significant local variation. Moving towards a neighbourhood-based model would require alignment across these various parts of the system. 

Closer multidisciplinary working can blur traditional professional boundaries. This should be seen as a necessary move rather than a risk. Demand is growing faster than workforce capacity, meaning care will be delivered across blended skillsets. Clear frameworks and strong communication will be essential to maintain quality and accountability.  

The success of neighbourhood hubs will depend on a sustainable infrastructure. Digital systems, estates and equipment will need to support podiatry services in community settings. This is not something that can be taken for granted. As the model develops, there is an opportunity to ensure podiatry is fully considered in national policy and local service design.  

Job evaluation is likely to become an increasingly important issue. As neighbourhood models develop, podiatrists may find themselves working across different settings, and in some cases, moving between employers. 

This raises questions about how roles are defined and protected. Pay, pensions and other benefits will need to be carefully considered as new ways of working take shape. 

Multidisciplinary models may also expand the scope of practice for some roles. Where responsibilities increase, it will be important that this is reflected appropriately in NHS pay banding. 

What to watch next 

Implementation of neighbourhood health models will take place over the next decade. It is expected to be gradual and locally led, meaning the way podiatry is included may vary significantly between areas. 

This reinforces the need for podiatry to be proactive and prepared. Protecting traditional ways of working will not be enough. The focus should be on what delivers the best outcomes for patients and supports the long-term sustainability of the profession. 

Early experience from pilot sites suggests that decision-making can move quickly. Services that arrive with clear, workable models are more likely to shape the direction of change. Where proposals are too complex or underdeveloped, attention may shift elsewhere. 

Podiatrists should remain connected to developments within their local integrated care system. That’s where decisions about neighbourhood services, funding, commissioning and workforce models will be made. Having a clear, practical vision for how podiatry contributes to neighbourhood teams will position the profession strongly as these new models take shape. 

Bottom line 

The Neighbourhood Health Framework sets a clear direction for the future of care delivery in England, but it is still a developing model rather than a finished system. 

For podiatry, there are clear opportunities for a more visible, integrated role within community-based care. But realising that potential will depend on workforce capacity, local implementation and how the profession positions itself. 

For individual podiatrists, this is less about immediate change and more about awareness. Understanding how neighbourhood models are developing locally, and how podiatry is positioned within them, will be increasingly important over time. 

Links and references 

Read about the Neighbourhood Health Framework on the Department of Health and Social Care’s website. 

Members can contact the College’s Employment Support team if they have any issues. Email: employmentrelations@rcpod.org.uk