Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP officially opens Barnsley’s trailblazing ‘Health on the High Street’ hub

Barnsley welcomed the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP to officially open the first phase of our new health and wellbeing hub at the Alhambra Shopping Centre yesterday (Thursday 29 January). 

The government has a vision for more healthcare services to be delivered in the community, including in high street settings, and Mr Streeting came to see first-hand how this is already working well in Barnsley. 

Barnsley’s revolutionary ‘Health on the High Street’ development is transforming the first floor of the Alhambra Shopping Centre into a health and wellbeing hub, bringing more convenient healthcare services to thousands of residents.  

Mr Streeting met staff and patients at the centre, which is challenging the 'hospital first' culture by encouraging residents to access non-emergency services in a different location, reducing dependency on acute settings. 

The first services to transfer from Barnsley Hospital to the upper floor space in the Alhambra where the former Wilko store used to be are Ophthalmology, Optometry and Retinal Screening. This will be followed by Rheumatology, Dermatology and Orthotics. 

Other hospital outpatient services are due to move in this year as part of a phased opening of the modern, innovative hub, which has been developed by a range of health and wellbeing partners and is due to be fully operational in 2028. 

The Health on the High Street initiative is already revolutionising how residents can access health and wellbeing services in Barnsley. 

The Alhambra’s health and wellbeing hub is next to the Glass Works, where the hugely successful NHS Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) opened three years ago. 

The CDC has been instrumental in reducing waiting times, increasing attendance rates for appointments and improving patient satisfaction. It has welcomed more than 220,000 appointments to date for services like blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays, and led to a 22% increase in mammogram attendance and a 24% reduction in Do Not Attends (DNAs). 

Our collaborative health and wellbeing hub aims to reduce pressure on existing healthcare facilities, improve access and quality of care and attract even more visitors to Barnsley town centre, boosting the local economy. By attracting an estimated extra 150,000 footfall each year, the wider hub is expected to generate at least £1.5 million in additional visitor spend.  

The new health and wellbeing hub was made possible after the Alhambra was bought by Barnsley Council with support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to create a mixed-use centre, including the health and wellbeing hub alongside retail and leisure. 

Creating a Healthy Barnsley is a key ambition of Barnsley Council and its partners. It’s our aim that: 

We’re also working with partners including Barnsley Premier Leisure and the South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust on phase two of the hub, which will include a range of other health and wellbeing services including a gym and wellbeing centre and mental health services.  

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, said: "It's been really inspiring to be here today, because what we're seeing right here in the heart of Barnsley town centre is the future of the NHS. 

“We go to so many places at the moment where high streets and shopping centres are in decline, but what we’re seeing right here in the Alhambra is a shopping centre and a town centre that is actually on the up. 

“Having this brilliant facility right at the heart of the shopping centre will mean that it’s more easy and convenient for the patients to get access to care. It’s bringing more people to the shopping centre and to the town centre, making sure it goes from strength to strength. If people get a coffee on the way or do a bit of shopping, then so much the better. 

“There’s so much to be inspired by here. There’s a great story to tell about Barnsley’s present and Barnsley’s future, and this is just the latest in what will be a whole series of new services and new investment, to make sure that Barnsley goes from strength to strength, and that Barnsley’s health, and the health of the whole of South Yorkshire, goes from strength to strength too.” 

Dr Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of Barnsley Hospital, said: Dr Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of Barnsley Hospital, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to Barnsley. 

“We’ve been listening to what our patients, their families and our colleagues tell us and it’s clear that there is a real appetite for bringing more health services to a town centre location which is easy, convenient, modern and linked with other services and facilities. 

“This means we can build on the success of the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which has been incredibly well received by the people of Barnsley. Expanding the range of health and wellbeing services in the heart of our town centre, alongside the CDC, is going to deliver even more efficient and effective services, hugely enhancing people’s experiences and ultimately improving the lives of residents.” 

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “It’s a huge privilege to welcome the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to Barnsley for him to see Health on the High Street in action.  

“This trailblazing project is bringing even more of Barnsley’s health services into the heart of our town centre making it easier for people to access vital health appointments.  

“It’s the next stage in the continuing success story on Health on the High Street in Barnsley, with Barnsley Hospital’s Community Diagnostic Centre in the Glass Works already having delivered huge improvements in the number of patients accessing vital, potentially life-saving appointments over the last three years.  

"We know from talking to patients that they prefer coming into town for an appointment over visiting the hospital, where they can also go on to enjoy a coffee and some shopping. This diversification of the high street offer will continue to increase visitor numbers to our fantastic town centre, driving economic growth and supporting local businesses.” 

Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard said: “I want South Yorkshire to be the healthiest region in the country. Health on the High Street - and the work going on across Barnsley - is central to making that vision a reality. By bringing services into the heart of Barnsley, everyone will now be able to access a wide range of health and wellbeing support in the town centre – no longer needing to visit a hospital. 

“The NHS Community Diagnostic Centre in the Glass Works has already shown that we can reduce waiting times and improves patient satisfaction. It’s why we’re now going further and delivering more health and wellbeing services from the Alhambra shopping centre. 

“When it comes to tackling long standing health challenges, in Barnsley and South Yorkshire we’re pioneers. That leadership is being recognised nationally, and we’re really pleased to welcome the Health Secretary to Barnsley to see our work firsthand.”