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This article was originally posted on Property Week.
Independent think tank Radix Big Tent is launching a project to bring community health facilities to the UK’s high streets as a catalyst for regeneration.
The Health on the High Street Commission will be launched on 19 May, to coincide with this year’s UKREiiF.
The cross-sector commission will set out to identify practical steps to unblock the planning, financial and cultural obstacles to high street regeneration through health.
The commission will be chaired by author, designer and place strategist Professor Ibrahim Ibrahim of Sidara’s Portland Design. Commissioners include crossbench peer Lord Andrew Mawson, the driver behind the Bromley-by-Bow Health Partnership, and Michael Brown, the chief architect of the ground-breaking Barnsley Health Hub. The commission plans to report within 12 months.
“There is widespread political agreement that putting health services at the heart of communities is a good idea. And yet, despite this consensus, progress is glacial,” said Radix Big Tent chief executive Ben Rich.
“Why? Because the system designed to deliver this is stuck in neutral. Speaking with senior leaders from the NHS and private health providers, local government, private investment and regeneration, what becomes clear is that there is not a lack of ambition, but a wall of institutional and systemic inertia that prevents change. The purpose of this commission is to identify and produce policies to remove the friction points that stall delivery.”
Ibrahim added: “The focus of the commission is less about the details of the healthcare provision and more about its halo effect, and how it can drive social and commercial value in our high streets and shopping centres.”