Barking and Dagenham has been chosen as one of the first areas in England to join a new NHS neighbourhood health programme. The initiative will bring health, social care and community services closer to where people live, particularly for residents with long-term conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Local NHS and council teams will now benefit from national expert support, sharing their learning with the rest of England. The borough was selected thanks to its strong track record in partnership working and early support schemes that have already helped over 1,000 residents.