Plans to upgrade Alfred Barrow Health Centre have been announced as part of Government initiative

On Tuesday 25 November 2025, it was announced that the Alfred Barrow Health Centre will receive £7m capital funding to upgrade as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Centre project.

As part of the Budget announcement, the Government has confirmed significant investment into hundreds of new health centres across the country as well as upgrading a number of existing health centres which will bring together a collection of services under one roof, starting in the most deprived areas.  

The Neighbourhood Health Centre project aims to create ‘one stop shops’ that best meet the needs of the local community which aligns with the 10-year plan of bringing care closer to where people live. Funding will be allocated for delivery to begin from April 2026

This investment also supports the ambitions of the 10-Year Plan for Barrow, developed through a multi-agency programme of work called Barrow Rising. 

Aaron Cummins, chief executive of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: “We are delighted that the Alfred Barrow Health Centre has been named as being in the first wave of Neighbourhood Health Centre projects.

“This is fantastic news for the town and reflects confidence in the Team Barrow agenda and the local NHS’s ability to drive forward neighbourhood working.

“The Alfred Barrow Health Centre officially opened its doors to the public in 2019 and already houses a number of services, including GP practices, a pharmacy and community services.

“This extra investment will be extremely beneficial to the people of Barrow, and we look forward to co-producing plans with our partners. 

"Following the budget announcement, we are awaiting further guidance and will update as and when we know more.”

What we know so far:

• The government has confirmed that Alfred Barrow Health Centre will form part of the first wave of Neighbourhood Health Centre projects delivered through updating existing buildings.
• This is part of the government’s aim set out in the 10 Year Health Plan to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community.
• This project is also part of the ‘Barrow Blueprint for Health and Care estate transformation'.
• We believe around £7m of capital funding will be allocated to this scheme, subject to plans being finalised. Funding will be allocated for delivery to begin from April 2026.
• Based on current plans, this scheme will deliver a major refurbishment of the building and full restack of services to bring all currently empty space in the use – including converting underused storerooms and waiting areas to provide additional clinical rooms and house community service teams.