National Neighbourhood Health Lead visits St Helens
Dr Minal Bakhai MBE paid a visit to St Helens as part of a tour of neighbourhood health sites.
Article date: 16 January 2026
Dr Bakhai, a practising GP in North West London, is leading the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme — with St Helens chosen as a national pioneer area for developing neighbourhood health, supporting the Government's ambition to deliver better care closer to home.
During her time in St Helens, Dr Bakhai visited the St Helens South Community Hub in Clock Face. Opened by the council last year, the hub brings a range of one‑to‑one services together under one roof, including Chester Lane Library, adult social care, housing, affordable warmth support, NHS and Merseyside Police.
Dr Bakhai said: "It's great to be here in St Helens, one of our pioneer areas, and to see the brilliant progress being made on neighbourhood health — what we can learn from St Helens and where support is needed. "A key reflection from visiting neighbourhood sites is that the answers are in the room. It's about shared learning, done in a structured way across the country, so we can grow neighbourhood health and make it a reality for everyone to deliver better care. "It's brilliant being in the St Helens South Community Hub and library — clearly a centre point for this community. This is what it's all about: designing services with communities and understanding what matters to residents."
Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "Supporting good health, promoting independence, and ensuring high‑quality care across our communities remains a fundamental priority for us as a council. Being chosen as a pioneer area for neighbourhood health places us in a strong position to drive meaningful, long‑term improvements in how local services work together.
"I would like to thank Dr Minal for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit our borough. Her insight is invaluable as we look at how we can further shape the future of neighbourhood health and build on the work already underway to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents."
Jamaila Hussain, Executive Director of People's Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "We were delighted to host Dr Minal to showcase all the work we are doing as a pioneer site and showcase the close integration and partnership working we have across the borough to support the wellbeing of residents, while providing the right clinical and social care to support residents to live healthier, happier lives."