We are Healthcare Advisors for the London Borough of Rebridge’s Community Hubs programme. The hubs bring together different services across the borough such as libraries, children’s services and GPs, and provide a place where residents can come together and run activities. The Seven Kings Community and Health Hub includes Primary Care, Health, Social and Children’s Services, workzone, advice and community hub in a development of 236 homes.

Consultation and engagement with residents, council and healthcare stakeholders throughout has been key to the hub programme, with resident-chosen design principles of bringing people together, collaboration between the services provided and increased activities for locals. We worked closely with the team and stakeholders to determine suitable healthcare provision and design that delivered on these principles.

The co-location of heathcare services provides patients and locals with opportunities to engage with other services and support, including library, advice centre and community classes. We adopted a cluster approach to healthcare spaces, where a shared cluster allows the care provides flexibility to deliver a wider range of services and grow. Facilities such as workspaces and meeting rooms are shared across the hub, encouraging a culture of collaboration and working together.