The challenges of building better health care facilities for a rapidly expanding population are very real in north east London but it is also where we are seeing some of our most innovative, forward-thinking solutions. Hartley Health Centre in Newham is a great example of how we are working with local partners to develop modern, purpose-built health facilities that can be shared by multiple providers, all under one roof!

The centre marked its first anniversary in December 2025 and has already become a valued part of the local community, setting a new benchmark for integrated, accessible healthcare. Hartley Health Centre is now home to Aspire Medical Centre and Central Park Surgery, which relocated from their former, outdated premises nearby. Moving into a modern building with up-to-date consultation rooms and digital technology has enabled both practices to collaborate, improve the services they offer and better meet the needs of their growing patient lists. Crucially, the new health centre provides fit-for-purpose clinical space that meets current healthcare standards, replacing the poor-quality premises the practices were previously operating from.  

Hartley Health Centre represents an important investment in primary care infrastructure for north east London. Purpose-built facilities like this provide a sustainable, compliant environment for practices to deliver care, while also creating a better experience for patients and staff alike.

GP practices are the ‘front door’ of the NHS and the first point of contact for most people, yet the NHS Alliance estimates that around half of GP premises are unfit for purpose. Many are older buildings, often converted residential properties, with significant maintenance backlogs and limited capacity to support additional or more specialised services.

If we are serious about shifting more care into the community, Hartley Health Centre is an example of exactly the kind of collaboration we want to see more of across north east London.

Maximising the use of shared facilities is a core part of our strategy to expand and modernise the primary care estate. It will help ensure we can meet the needs of our growing population from premises that are fit for purpose, while also supporting the delivery of integrated neighbourhood health services, as set out in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan, and the three key shifts in healthcare that the government want to make.

Hartley Health Centre is a powerful example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working, with the close collaboration between the NHS and London Borough of Newham making the development possible. Working with our local partners is essential to aligning new health facilities with wider regeneration plans and ensuring they support high-quality healthcare for years to come for a healthier, brighter future for our communities.

Adam Croom, Communications Lead – NHS North East London