Next phase of Barnsley’s trailblazing Health on the High Street initiative unveiled
Work is underway on the UK’s largest relocation of hospital outpatient services as part of Barnsley’s revolutionary Health on the High Street programme which will bring more accessible and convenient health and wellbeing services to thousands of residents.
We’re working with our partners on transforming the first floor of the Alhambra Shopping Centre into a health and wellbeing hub, which will see its first outpatient appointments transfer to Barnsley Hospital’s new satellite centre in the heart of town by this autumn.
It’s the next phase in Barnsley’s town centre regeneration which is already creating an example for other areas to follow up and down the country. It’s been enabled by more than £60m of funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
Works inside the former Wilko store on the upper floor of the centre are progressing well in readiness for the Hospital’s eye specialists from Ophthalmology Services, who are due to be the first to move into the new health and wellbeing hub. Other hospital outpatient services are due to move in before the end of the year as part of a phased opening of the modern, innovative hub, which will include services from a range of health and wellbeing partners in Barnsley, and is due to be fully operational in 2028.
Barnsley's Health on the High Street initiative is revolutionising how residents can access health and wellbeing services in the town. It started three years ago this month with the opening of our Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in The Glass Works, which has already made huge strides in improving healthcare access and patient satisfaction.
The works at the Alhambra mark the start of the next phase of Health on the High Street in Barnsley, building on the successes we’ve already seen with the CDC.
Phase One
The CDC has been instrumental in reducing waiting times, increasing attendance rates for appointments and improving patient satisfaction, welcoming approximately 220,000 appointments to date for services like blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays.
Since its opening in April 2022, the CDC has seen a 22% increase in mammogram attendance and a 24% reduction in Do Not Attends (DNAs). The facility has also contributed to early prevention and integration of care while boosting footfall in the town centre by an additional 55,000 visits.
Phase Two
We’re working with Barnsley Council, Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL), the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT) and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to bring health and wellbeing services together in the hub. It's estimated more than 100,000 visits a year could be made to the Alhambra instead of to the hospital which will free up space and alleviate parking issues. BPL's offer is expected to attract a further 150,000 visitors a year.
The new health and wellbeing hub will host a range of services, including some outpatient services, a gym and wellbeing centre provided by BPL and mental health services through SWYPFT.
It will also provide spaces for people to access and discuss the support they need, integrating wraparound care and compatible services to address the wider issues that can impact people’s health and wellbeing.
Impacts and benefits
Our collaborative health and wellbeing hub aims to reduce pressure on existing healthcare facilities, improve access and quality of care and attract even more visitors to Barnsley town centre, boosting the local economy.
By attracting an additional 150,000 footfall per annum, the hub is expected to generate at least £1.5 million in additional visitor spend in Barnsley.
Furthermore, it will challenge the 'hospital first' culture by encouraging residents to access non-emergency services in a different location, thereby reducing dependency on acute settings.
Creating a Healthy Barnsley is a key ambition for Barnsley and our partners.