Communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are experiencing a radical shift in healthcare delivery one year after the national 10-Year Health Plan was launched. The region has emerged as a testbed for neighbourhood health, where care is no longer confined to hospitals but rooted in local surgeries, pharmacies, and community hubs.
General practice teams across the area are now handling over 1.2 million appointments each month—up 18% from pre-plan levels—while spring Covid-19 vaccinations have reached 148,000 residents this year alone. The figures underscore the pace of transformation under the plan’s emphasis on prevention, accessibility, and early intervention.
Key Points
- ✅ Over 1.2 million GP appointments delivered monthly, up 18% since the plan’s launch
- ⚡ Pharmacy First scheme handled 110,000 common conditions without GP referrals in its first year
- 💡 148,000 spring Covid-19 vaccinations administered across Hampshire and Isle of Wight
At the heart of this shift is the Pharmacy First initiative, which has treated more than 110,000 common conditions—such as ear infections, sinusitis, and impetigo—between April 2025 and March 2026. The scheme allows pharmacists to provide immediate care for minor ailments, reducing pressure on GP services and cutting waiting times for urgent cases.
| Care route | Volume (2025-26) | Before Plan |
|---|---|---|
| GP appointments | 1.2 million/month | 1 million/month |
| Pharmacy First treatments | 110,000 | 0 |
| Spring Covid vaccinations | 148,000 | N/A |
Dr Lara Alloway, chief medical and neighbourhood officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said the progress reflects a deliberate move away from reactive care toward proactive, neighbourhood-based health services. “This isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about building healthier communities,” Alloway said. “We’re seeing fewer emergency referrals, shorter waits for appointments, and patients receiving care where they live, work, and socialise.”
💡 Pro Tip
If you’re unsure where to go for minor symptoms, try your local pharmacy first—many now offer same-day appointments for common conditions under Pharmacy First.
The initiative relies on a collaborative network of NHS providers, local councils, social care teams, and voluntary organisations. In Eastleigh, for example, a new health hub opened last month integrates GP services, physiotherapy, mental health support, and social prescribing—all under one roof. Similar hubs are planned in Gosport, Fareham, and Ryde by the end of 2026.
📋 By The Numbers
- 1.2 million — Monthly GP appointments now served in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, up from 1 million
- 110,000 — Treatments delivered via Pharmacy First in its first operational year
- 148,000 — Spring Covid-19 vaccinations administered across the region in 2026
- 7 — New neighbourhood health hubs planned by 2026
Residents are now being asked to share their experiences through an online survey, helping to refine the model as it scales. Feedback so far indicates high satisfaction with closer-to-home care, though some rural areas report challenges in accessing services due to transport and workforce shortages.
- 📊 68% of patients using Pharmacy First say they avoided a GP visit for minor conditions
- 🔍 Rural residents are 30% less likely to access new neighbourhood hubs than urban counterparts
- ⚠️ Pharmacy First uptake remains low in areas with fewer than three participating pharmacies
As the plan enters its second year, NHS leaders are urging residents to contribute their views—especially those who have struggled to access the new services. The goal is clear: to make healthcare not just available, but accessible, personal, and preventive.
- First — Share your feedback by 30 June via the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight website
- Second — Check if your local pharmacy is part of the Pharmacy First scheme
- Third — Visit a neighbourhood health hub for a one-stop assessment of your care needs
