Children and families across north west London will benefit from an expansion of Child Health Hubs, supporting earlier access to care, reducing avoidable hospital visits and helping more children receive the care they need close to home.
The number of Child Health Hubs in north west London will grow from 24 to 45, providing a hub in every local GP network (Primary Care Network) by 2027 and ensuring equitable coverage across our eight boroughs.
Working with GP practices and hospital partners, the hubs create Neighbourhood Multidisciplinary Teams for Children to provide timely access to specialist advice and coordinated support in community settings. They bring together GPs, paediatricians, and specialist teams through regular clinics and sessions, ensuring children receive the right care at the right time and reducing the need for outpatient appointments, A&E visits, and hospital admissions.
Building on the success of the existing Child Health Hubs, the expansion will create a more consistent and equitable model of care across north west London. Each local area will have its own hub, helping ensure all children and families can access high-quality community-based services. The model will continue to adapt to local needs, with additional support available in areas with larger populations or higher demand.
Dedicated population health and coordination resources will allow hubs to identify children who may benefit from early intervention, including those with long-term conditions or at higher risk of hospital visits. This proactive, localised approach helps children get the right care sooner, supports early diagnosis of complex conditions, and improves long-term health outcomes.
Commenting on the approved expansion, Dr Mando Watson, paediatric lead for the Children and Young People Programme at North West London ICB, said:
“Expanding Child Health Hubs is a vital step for children and families across north west London. By providing expert support in the community, we can identify health needs earlier, offer the right care at the right time, and give families the reassurance that help is available when they need it.”
This expansion reflects our commitment to investing in community-based services and developing integrated models of care that support the health and wellbeing of children and young people across north west London.