CHRIS Vince, Member of Parliament for Harlow, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s launch of a bold new 10-Year Health Plan to bring NHS care closer to people’s doorsteps – with Harlow set to benefit from a new Neighbourhood Health Service designed to provide easier, quicker, and more convenient care for local residents.

The plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marks a major shift in how health services are delivered, with a clear focus on community-based care, digital innovation, and prevention. Under the reforms, new Neighbourhood Health Centres will be rolled out across the country – and Harlow is expected to be part of this transformation.

These centres will provide a wide range of health services under one roof – including diagnostics, mental health support, post-operative care, and rehabilitation – and will be open during evenings and weekends, helping local people get the care they need without lengthy waits or travel.

Chris Vince MP said:

“Too many people in Harlow have had to deal with long waits, missed appointments, and difficulty accessing local health services. That’s why I’m proud to support this Plan for Change – which will mean more care delivered in our community, more services available locally, and a better experience for patients.

“This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken – it’s about building something better. By opening new Neighbourhood Health Centres here in Harlow, we’ll help people access care more quickly and take pressure off our local hospitals like Princess Alexandra.

“We’re finally seeing action to deliver on the change people voted for – making it easier to see a GP, tackling long waiting lists, and supporting our NHS staff with the tools they need to deliver great care.”

The new neighbourhood teams will include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, health visitors, and social care workers – alongside community outreach teams and volunteers who can help spot early signs of illness and offer support at home.

Chris Vince added:

“We all know prevention is better than cure – and this plan means more help before people get seriously ill. It also means using modern technology properly, making sure appointments are easier to book and care is better joined-up.”

As part of the new vision for the NHS, the government will also:

• Train thousands more GPs and bring back the family doctor model
• Introduce new technology such as AI scribes to reduce admin and free up GP time
• Improve access to dental care through community-based dental teams
• Deliver personalised care plans for people with complex needs
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The Government has already recruited 1,900 more GPs since October, opened 10 new surgical hubs, and delivered over 4 million extra NHS appointments.

Chris Vince concluded:

“This is the biggest reform of our NHS in a generation – and this will benefit Harlow massively. I will keep fighting to make sure our town gets the investment, services, and health professionals we need to build a truly modern NHS that works for everyone.”