The Key Challenge is the commissioning of neighbourhood healthcare plans using the requirement of 30-50,000 residents. Devon has over 842,000 residents (split into 25-30 neighbourhood health plans to deliver health based services over 8000 km squared) https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/next-steps-on-neighbourhood-health-and-new-delivery-models/

Page 24 These geographies may well work in an urban setting but will not work so well in a rural setting where trusted organisations are geographically dispersed and very much village/town location based and there will be the complexity of multiple healthcare providers.

NHS England - Neighbourhood footprints should follow “natural communities”, not simply administrative boundaries. The national model envisages neighbourhoods of around 50,000 people, but explicitly recognises the need for local flexibility. This is particularly relevant where rural populations are dispersed and settlements are smaller.

A rural partnership approach between VCSE's and healthcare care providers such as the NHS Trusts, Adult and Children's services and Mental Health services is vital