05 Aug 2026
Lincolnshire is one of England’s largest and most rural counties, with many residents living considerable distances from health services. NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and its partners are working to ensure geography does not become a barrier to good healthcare through initiatives focused on bringing care closer to home, using technology to improve access and reducing health inequalities.
Bringing Care Closer to Home
A key priority for the ICB is delivering more care within local communities. Through its integrated community care approach it is supporting services that help people manage their health closer to home, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and supporting greater independence.
Frailty services are a good example of this approach. Lincolnshire has a growing older population, many of whom live in rural and isolated areas. Community-based support is helping older people remain well and independent while reducing avoidable hospital admissions.
Community pharmacies also play an important role. For many rural residents, they are among the most accessible healthcare services available, providing vaccinations, medication advice and treatment for minor illnesses without the need to travel further afield.
Alongside traditional healthcare services, Lincolnshire’s network of Community Connectors and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs helps people access practical support, social connections and community activities close to home. Delivered through local voluntary and community organisations, the hubs provide welcoming spaces offering wellbeing activities, peer support and access to local services, while Community Connectors help residents navigate support and strengthen community networks.
Using Technology to Overcome Distance
Technology is helping address the challenges created by Lincolnshire’s geography.
Through its digital transformation programme, NHS Lincolnshire ICB is supporting technologies that make healthcare more accessible and connected.
Remote monitoring allows clinicians to track patients’ health from a distance, helping people with long-term conditions receive support from home and reducing the need for regular travel to appointments.
The Lincolnshire Care Record enables health and care professionals across organisations to securely access relevant patient information, improving coordination and supporting more seamless care across the county.
A practical example of innovation can be seen at Gosberton Medical Centre. With support from the ICB, the practice has upgraded its IT systems, introduced digital consultations and expanded local diagnostic services, including FENO testing for asthma (used to help diagnose asthma and monitor how well treatment is working), helping rural patients access specialist support closer to home.
Reducing Rural Health Inequalities
Reducing health inequalities sits at the heart of Lincolnshire’s health and care strategy. Rural communities can experience additional challenges including transport difficulties, social isolation and reduced access to services.
The Community Connectors and Wellbeing Hub service is a key part of addressing these issues. Operating for around four years as part of Lincolnshire’s mental health and wellbeing offer, the service has been recommissioned from July 2026 for a further four years to 2030, and Shine Lincolnshire now delivers five areas covering East Lindsey Coastal & Rural, East Lindsey North, East Lindsey South, Boston and the Trent area of West Lindsey, working alongside organisations including New Life Spilsby to provide locally tailored support.
Gosberton Medical Centre also demonstrates how local initiatives can help tackle inequalities. The practice has introduced a sensory garden, wellbeing activities, carer support groups and dedicated support for people with learning disabilities and autism, helping ensure services are inclusive and responsive to local need.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate NHS Lincolnshire ICB’s commitment to improving access, tackling inequalities and delivering high-quality healthcare for rural communities across Lincolnshire.
