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Health · What matters

Health and access to care

Getting a GP or NHS dentist appointment is hard for many residents, and healthy life expectancy differs widely between neighbourhoods.

Raised by: Official data · NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)Council plans
+3 moreDepartment of Health and Social Care, through the Office for StudentsHIVE Portsmouth with Healthwatch PortsmouthResidents’ surveys

The issue in five minutes

The problem
Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months: 31.4% (June 2026), 8.8 percentage points lower than England (40.2%). Affects: Adults without an NHS dentist, patients of busy GP practices, and residents of the most deprived wards.
3 related measures
  • 37 per 100,000 registered Fully qualified GPs per 100,000 registered patients (September 2026; 9.6 per 100,000 registered patients lower than England (46.5), calculated from unrounded figures)
  • 68.5% Patients who describe their GP practice overall as good (2026; 8.2 percentage points lower than England (76.7%))
  • 60.6% Planned hospital care: share waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026; 4.6 percentage points lower than England (65.2%))

Different measures, sources and periods: shown together, not ranked against each other.

Who says so
NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA); NHS England (NHS England Digital); Ipsos for NHS England; NHS England; residents’ surveys.
What’s being done
  • Smokefree PortsmouthBring adult smoking down to 5% or less by 2030, with specialist stop-smoking support through the Portsmouth Wellbeing Service and commissioned services, including vapes through Swap to Stop, and more quits in groups with higher smoking rates.Lead Portsmouth City Council In progress · evidence 17 June 2026
  • Bransbury Park Leisure CentreBuild a leisure and neighbourhood health hub at Bransbury Park with a 25-metre pool, learner pool, gym, studios and a GP surgery (replacing an existing practice).Lead Portsmouth City Council In progress · evidence 5 October 2026
Show the other 1

All 11 official commitments on this issue → · funding and delivery in the tracker →

Get help now
What is still missing
5 items not yet published or reported

Not yet published for the work above:

  • GP access figures and hospital waits for Portsmouth patients only (Freedom of Information request)
  • Four-hour and 12-hour A&E waits at Queen Alexandra Hospital by patient home area (Freedom of Information request)
  • Ambulance response times in Portsmouth (Freedom of Information request)
  • Children’s mental health (CAMHS) waiting times (Freedom of Information request)
  • GP and health contributions secured through planning agreements for the major housing schemes (none verified in the records read on 10 November 2026; the council's 2024/25 infrastructure statement gives city totals only)
Facts Count suggestion
Proposed by Facts Count Target access and prevention where health gaps are greatest. Not costed. A suggestion, shown after the official response.
How we’ll know
Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months, compared over 3 years.

1 · The issue

What the evidence says

Who is affected: Adults without an NHS dentist, patients of busy GP practices, and residents of the most deprived wards.

  • Pressure Health gaps remain large within the city. In 2022–24, OHID estimated the life-expectancy gap between the most and least deprived parts of Portsmouth at 9.4 years for men and 7.8 for women (England 10.4 and 8.0). Healthcare, income, housing and prevention all matter. NHS dental use is one access indicator, but it cannot count everyone unable to find an appointment. In context →
  • Opportunity Improved public spaces can benefit more residents. Hilsea Lido has reopened and Bransbury Park’s new sports and healthcare hub is being built. Opening a facility is not the same as making it affordable and usable for all neighbourhoods. Participation, accessibility and transport should be checked after opening. In context →

2 · The evidence

The figures

31.4%

Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months City June 2026 NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

8.8 percentage points lower than England (40.2%).

Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months

April 2019 to June 2026

Portsmouth · %

Reviewed figures: April 2019 to June 2026.

Shown on this chart: From April 2019 to June 2026, adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months fell by 12.5 percentage points in Portsmouth and fell by 9.4 percentage points in England.

Both places compared over April 2019 to June 2026, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth; England.

Actual values

PortsmouthEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

No clear change Down 13 percentage points since April 2019 (43.9%).

How change is judged

Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months: 2 percentage points change between 2023-06 and 2026-06, smaller than the threshold used (Standard deviation of the 75 twelve-month changes in the monthly series, April 2019 to June 2026 (3.07 percentage points, rounded to 3.1). The series includes the 2020-21 collapse in dental activity, so the threshold is deliberately cautious. Compare the latest month with the same month three years earlier.).

Rule: Standard deviation of the 75 twelve-month changes in the monthly series, April 2019 to June 2026 (3.07 percentage points, rounded to 3.1). The series includes the 2020-21 collapse in dental activity, so the threshold is deliberately cautious. Compare the latest month with the same month three years earlier.

COVID-19 restrictions sharply cut routine NHS dental care from March 2020, so the rolling counts fall and then recover over the following 12 to 24 months.

Same period, other places (2026-06)
  • Portsmouth31.4%
  • Southampton36.3%
  • Chichester26%
  • Winchester37.4%
  • England40.2%

Comparators: the nearest cities and the most similar places, with England.

More trends for this issue (3)

Fully qualified GPs per 100,000 registered patients

September 2015 to September 2026

Portsmouth GP practices · full-time equivalent GPs per 100,000 registered patients

Reviewed figures: September 2015 to September 2026.

Shown on this chart: From September 2015 to September 2026, fully qualified GPs per 100,000 registered patients fell by 28.7% in Portsmouth GP practices and fell by 9.2% in England.

Both places compared over September 2015 to September 2026, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth GP practices; England.

Actual values

Portsmouth GP practicesEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: NHS England (NHS England Digital) ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

This counts people registered with the practices, not city residents. Some people registered in Portsmouth live outside the city, and some residents are registered elsewhere.

Patients who describe their GP practice overall as good

2024 to 2026

Portsmouth GP practices · %

Reviewed figures: 2024 to 2026.

Shown on this chart: From 2024 to 2026, patients who describe their GP practice overall as good rose by 3.1 percentage points in Portsmouth GP practices and rose by 2.8 percentage points in England.

Both places compared over 2024 to 2026, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth GP practices; England.

Actual values

Portsmouth GP practicesEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: Ipsos for NHS England ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

Survey estimates have a margin of error. Ipsos publishes 95% ranges for England (shown). City ranges are not published; Portsmouth has about 1,100 to 1,300 answers a year and Southampton about 2,200 to 2,800 (see each figure), so a change of one or two points may not be real.

Planned hospital care: share waiting under 18 weeks

September 2011 to August 2026

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust · %

Reviewed figures: September 2011 to August 2026.

Shown on this chart: From September 2011 to August 2026, planned hospital care: share waiting under 18 weeks fell by 27.8 percentage points in Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and fell by 25.4 percentage points in England.

Both places compared over September 2011 to August 2026, using matching published dates.

Compared areas: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust; England.

Actual values

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS TrustEngland

Each line joins consecutive published observations for that place. Missing dates remain gaps.

Source: NHS England ↗ · retrieved 9 Nov 2026

The waiting list counts pathways (referrals), not people: one person can wait on more than one pathway.

Related measures

  • 37 per 100,000 registered Fully qualified GPs per 100,000 registered patients Wider area September 2026 · 9.6 per 100,000 registered patients lower than England (46.5), calculated from unrounded figures · Fully qualified GPs per 100,000 registered patients.
  • 68.5% Patients who describe their GP practice overall as good Wider area 2026 · 8.2 percentage points lower than England (76.7%) · Patients’ own rating of their GP practice (survey).
  • 60.6% Planned hospital care: share waiting under 18 weeks Hospital trust area August 2026 · 4.6 percentage points lower than England (65.2%) · Planned hospital care at Queen Alexandra Hospital within 18 weeks.
Show the other 3 measures
  • 60.2% A&E: share seen within 4 hours (major emergency department) Hospital trust area September 2026 · 0.4 percentage points lower than England (60.6%) · A&E waits at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
  • 9.4 years Estimated male life-expectancy gap within the city City 2022–24 · The life-expectancy gap between neighbourhoods.
  • 192 per 100,000 Deaths before 75 from causes considered preventable City 2022–24 · Deaths before 75 from preventable causes.

All the Portsmouth figures for this issue

UK FactsUK Facts · Deep diveHealth across the UKThe national picture ↗
Public health outcomes for this issue

Health outcomes

  • Healthy life expectancy at birth: In 2022–24 (three-year average), the estimate for Portsmouth men was 57.5 years, against South East 63.0 years and England 60.9 years. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it similar to England.
  • Healthy life expectancy at birth: In 2022–24 (three-year average), the estimate for Portsmouth women was 58.6 years, against South East 64.3 years and England 61.3 years. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it similar to England.
  • Adult smoking prevalence: In 2025 (single year), the estimate for Portsmouth adults was 12.7%, against South East 8.7% and England 9.5%. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it worse than England.

Official estimates from OHID; comparisons with England are OHID’s own. Trends, intervals and comparisons →

3 · What residents say

Residents’ evidence

18 surveys

Across the sources: Official figures, the council’s resident survey and Healthwatch research point the same way on GP access, from different angles. Fewer residents reported problems getting a GP appointment in 2025 than in earlier years, but many still do (chart below). In Healthwatch’s April 2026 survey, about half found it harder than before and most preferred the telephone. Healthwatch’s 2024 interviews explain why: online-only booking, unclear next steps and travel. The NHS response so far acknowledges the findings without naming a funded action. Each source asks a different question of different people, so their percentages are not compared with each other or with the national GP Patient Survey.

Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? “GP practice” · Portsmouth residents’ research (Your City, Your Say) · Survey-based evidence
Table, wording and bases
Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?
YearShareBaseQuestion and notes
202370%2,049 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗
202462%1,235 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗
202546%1,464 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗
Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? “Dentist” · Portsmouth residents’ research (Your City, Your Say) · Survey-based evidence
Table, wording and bases
Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?
YearShareBaseQuestion and notes
202352%2,049 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗
202449%1,235 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗
202544%1,464 (weighted)Do you ever have problems accessing the following services? Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared. Source ↗

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Primary care services

    54%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 55.9%.

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: NHS Dentistry

    34%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 35.8%.

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Accident and Emergency

    32%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 33.3%.

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Hospital Departments, Outpatients and Clinics

    17%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 17.9%.

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Adult Social Care

    16%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 16.7%.

  • “Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Adult Mental Health Services

    16%

    Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗

    Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 16.3%.

All residents’ survey results →

4 · Who is acting

Official commitments and projects

11 official commitments · 9 with dated evidence

Formal commitments by public bodies, with their original decision. Stages without dated evidence are hatched, never filled.

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Bransbury Park Leisure Centre

Build a leisure and neighbourhood health hub at Bransbury Park with a 25-metre pool, learner pool, gym, studios and a GP surgery (replacing an existing practice).

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 5 October 2026: Portsmouth’s new leisure and neighbourhood health hub celebrates milestones ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made October 2024 · Corporate Plan 2024-2026 (Council Plan 2024) ↗

1 dated record
  1. 5 October 2026 milestone Main structural works to both swimming pools completed. source ↗

Committed by UK Government Approved

Fund 25 new dental training places at the University of Portsmouth, training dentists from 2027 onwards.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 3 June 2026: Brand new dental school places in ‘dental deserts’ ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Department of Health and Social Care (through the Office for Students) Amount not stated · Training places; amount not stated in the record

Made 3 June 2026 · due 2027 · Brand new dental school places in ‘dental deserts’ ↗

1 dated record
  1. 3 June 2026 milestone University of Portsmouth selected to host 25 new dental training places, with training from 2027. source ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Not verified

Corporate Plan 2024-2026

Continue to advocate for improved primary care in Portsmouth, including GPs, dentists and community pharmacies, and where possible partner to bring provision forward.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

No dated evidence of progress has been found; stages are shown hatched.

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made October 2024 · due 2026 · Corporate Plan 2024-2026 (Council Plan 2024) ↗

Show the other 8 official commitments

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Completed

Hilsea Lines Linear Park

Restore and reopen Hilsea Lido.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 17 October 2026: Hilsea Lines, reopened lido and coastal works ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made October 2024 · Corporate Plan 2024-2026 (Council Plan 2024) ↗

1 dated record
  1. 17 October 2026 output The council page says the restored lido is operated by the team behind Sea Lanes Brighton (undated page; date is when it was checked). source ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Portsmouth Carers Strategy

Support unpaid carers through the Carers Strategy and its action plan across five priority areas, including a personalised respite and short-breaks offer.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 8 December 2025: Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, 8 December 2025: Carers’ Strategy and Action Plan update ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made January 2025 · Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, 8 December 2025: Carers’ Strategy and Action Plan update ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Autism Strategic Action Plan 2025-2028

Deliver the Autism Strategic Action Plan 2025-2028 for autistic residents and their families.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 8 December 2025: Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, 8 December 2025: Autism Strategic Action Plan update ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made 2025 · due 2028 · Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, 8 December 2025: Autism Strategic Action Plan update ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council Not verified

Adult Social Care Strategy 2024-2027

Shape adult social care in Portsmouth through the Adult Social Care Strategy 2024-2027.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

No dated evidence of progress has been found; stages are shown hatched.

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made 2024 · due 2027 · Adult social care strategy 2024 - 2027 ↗

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Smokefree Portsmouth

Bring adult smoking down to 5% or less by 2030, with specialist stop-smoking support through the Portsmouth Wellbeing Service and commissioned services, including vapes through Swap to Stop, and more quits in groups with higher smoking rates.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 17 June 2026: Stop smoking ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing

Funded by: not stated in the record.

Made October 2024 · due 2030 · Smokefree Portsmouth: a tobacco control plan 2024-2030 ↗

Outcome to watch: Adult smoking prevalence, 2025 (single year): 12.7%, England 9.5%. Target: at most 5% by 2030, 7.7 percentage points above the target. The three-year average for 2023–25 was 10.9%.

The plan states its baseline on the single-year APS series (14.7% in 2022), so the gap to the target uses the single-year series. The three-year average is steadier for comparing places. Revision: the plan quoted 13.6% (2021) and 14.7% (2022); the current OHID release gives 12.6% and 13.4% for those years. Trend and intervals →

Not yet published:

  • Stop-smoking referrals, quit attempts and four-week quits for Portsmouth by year are not published with this plan.
  • The Smokefree Generation grant amount for Portsmouth (2024/25 to 2028/29) is not stated in the plan.
  • Population smoking can change for many reasons; this record does not show the service’s effect.

Committed by HIVE Portsmouth In progress

Originally proposed by Healthwatch Portsmouth

HIVE Portsmouth Community Helpdesks

Run community helpdesks in Portsea (John Pounds Centre) and Paulsgrove (Paulsgrove Housing Office), giving residents in-person help to find health, care and community support.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, 10 December 2025: Come and visit new HIVE Portsmouth Community Helpdesks ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by Portsmouth Health and Care partnership (P3) Board Amount not stated · Funding for the two helpdesks; amount not stated

Made December 2025 · Healthwatch Portsmouth annual report 2025/26 ↗

Not yet published:

  • Current opening times should be checked with HIVE Portsmouth: the December 2025 times were described as start-up arrangements.
  • No count of people helped at the helpdesks is published. Healthwatch’s 1,474 figure covers everyone who shared experiences with it in 2025/26, not helpdesk visits.

Committed by Portsmouth City Council In progress

Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC Portsmouth)

Build the council’s capacity to use research on the wider causes of ill health, including community researchers and evidence to inform council decisions.

ApprovedFundedUnder wayCompleted

Status evidence, June 2026: HDRC Portsmouth: impact ↗

Who pays, key dates and what is missing
Funded by
  • Funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research £5,000,000 · About £5m over five years from January 2025, after a development year in 2024 (University of Portsmouth announcement)

Made January 2025 · due December 2029 · Collaborative Learning Island Portsmouth (CLIP): business plan, NIHR159364 ↗

Not yet published:

  • The council’s impact page has no dated milestones or counts of participants, findings published or decisions informed.
  • The Cabinet update of 4 March 2025 (noted, for information) could not be opened.
1 dated record
  1. 16 January 2025 milestone NIHR funding of about £5m over five years confirmed, starting January 2025, after a 2024 development year. source ↗

Every action on this issue, including other organisations and political proposals, in the explorer →

Signals from the latest official data

Signals from the latest official data

Computed automatically from each new national release by a fixed rule, then linked to the actions on the same issue. A signal is not an editorial finding; reviewed findings are listed separately.

PressureComputed signal · 2023–25

Life expectancy at birth (men): worse than England

In 2023–25 (three-year average), the estimate for Portsmouth men was 78.0 years, against South East 80.8 years and England 79.7 years. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it worse than England. This estimate is provisional and may be revised.

Rule: OHID’s published comparison with England for the latest three-year average is “better” or “worse” (95% confidence). “Similar” gives no signal. Limit: Provisional data. Source ↗

Action plan for this signal: 11 official actions, 3 other projects, 3 Facts Count proposals

Whether these actions are enough is not judged automatically. See Health and access to care for the evidence and outcome measure.

PressureComputed signal · 2023–25

Life expectancy at birth (women): worse than England

In 2023–25 (three-year average), the estimate for Portsmouth women was 82.5 years, against South East 84.5 years and England 83.5 years. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it worse than England. This estimate is provisional and may be revised.

Rule: OHID’s published comparison with England for the latest three-year average is “better” or “worse” (95% confidence). “Similar” gives no signal. Limit: Provisional data. Source ↗

Action plan for this signal: 11 official actions, 3 other projects, 3 Facts Count proposals

Whether these actions are enough is not judged automatically. See Health and access to care for the evidence and outcome measure.

PressureComputed signal · 2025

Adult smoking prevalence (adults): worse than England

In 2025 (single year), the estimate for Portsmouth adults was 12.7%, against South East 8.7% and England 9.5%. OHID’s statistical comparison rates it worse than England.

Rule: OHID’s published comparison with England for the latest single year is “better” or “worse” (95% confidence). “Similar” gives no signal. Source ↗

Action plan for this signal: 11 official actions, 3 other projects, 3 Facts Count proposals

Whether these actions are enough is not judged automatically. See Health and access to care for the evidence and outcome measure.

Projects by other organisations

In the city · healthCompleted

Queen Alexandra Hospital: new Emergency Department

A new emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, replacing the 1979 department.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Stage
Opened to patients on 26 November 2024; the old department closed the same day. (26 November 2024, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust opens new Emergency Department ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham · Serves Portsmouth and south east Hampshire.
Funding
  • Funded by UK Government (national NHS capital) Allocation: £58m · National investment; building work began March 2023. Not an outturn cost. source ↗
What would show it worked
Output: Department open. Outcome: Four-hour emergency waits at the trust, on the NHS definition.
Next check
Trust board papers for activity and waits since opening.
In the city · healthUnder way

Portsmouth Community Diagnostic Centre, Rodney Road

A community scanning centre in a converted trust building, run with Alliance Medical, offering CT, MRI, X-ray and ultrasound.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust with Alliance Medical
Stage
The trust said on 25 August 2026 it would be fully open by October 2026. Alliance Medical says scanning began in October 2026; the trust’s own site page still says “due to open”. (2 November 2026, Portsmouth Community Diagnostic Centre ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Rodney Road, Portsmouth · In the city.
Funding
No funding published.
What would show it worked
Output: Scans carried out. Outcome: Diagnostic waiting times at the trust.
Next check
Trust confirmation of opening; cost and throughput in trust board papers.

Note: No cost is published on the trust or Alliance Medical pages.

In the city · otherApproved

PlayZones: Stamshaw Park, Baffins Pond and Charles Dickens

Three new multi-sport play areas with the Football Foundation.

Whose project
Run by Portsmouth City Council with Football Foundation
Stage
Cabinet approved progression on 10 February 2026. Two school sites (Beacon View and Mayfield) were declined by the Football Foundation. (10 February 2026, Cabinet, 10 February 2026: public reports pack (PlayZones) ↗)
Where, funding and what would show it worked
Where
Stamshaw Park (Nelson), Baffins Pond (Baffins), Charles Dickens Activity Centre (Charles Dickens) · Three wards in the city.
Funding
  • Funded by Portsmouth City Council Council capital: £215,689 · £180,689 from corporate reserves and £35,000 Baffins developer contributions; about 27% of the £789,157 total source ↗
  • Funded by Football Foundation Grant: £573,468 · £558,468 match funding and a £15,000 development grant, subject to site approval; about 73% of the total source ↗
What would show it worked
Output: PlayZones open. Outcome: Use of the sites.
Next check
Football Foundation site awards, construction and opening.

Note: Site costs: Stamshaw £269,492; Baffins £261,220; Charles Dickens £258,445. The 25%/75% split applies to the matched construction cost only.

Local projects

5 · What could change

Proposals

3 proposals

Facts Count proposals are suggestions, labelled as ours. Stages are a suggested sequence, not deadlines.

Proposed by Facts Count

Target access and prevention where health gaps are greatest

Map GP, dental and prevention access by neighbourhood, then test practical ways to improve access where health gaps are largest, measuring uptake and outcomes openly.

EstimateAllocatedSpentUnknown

Proposed lead: Portsmouth City Council public health team, jointly with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight (proposed; neither has agreed)

First step: Publish a draft neighbourhood access table from the public Fingertips, NHSBSA and IoD files already checked here, and invite the ICB and council to correct or add to it.

Issue: Health and access to care

Proposed by Facts Count

Make new leisure facilities usable across the city

Publish clear prices, concessions, hours, accessibility and travel options for Hilsea Lido, Bransbury Park and other council leisure facilities, and report anonymised use by area so that gaps in who benefits can be found and costed.

EstimateAllocatedSpentUnknown

Proposed lead: Portsmouth City Council (proposed; as facility owner and contracting authority)

First step: Ask Sea Lanes and BH Live what anonymised use data they already hold by postcode district and concession type.

Issue: Health and access to care

Show the other 1 proposals

Proposed by Facts Count

Show what schools, health, road and parking support each major housing scheme has secured and delivered

For each major housing scheme, publish what school, SEND, GP, transport and parking contributions or works are required, paid, allocated and delivered, using planning agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy records.

EstimateAllocatedSpentUnknown

Proposed lead: Portsmouth City Council planning, education, transport and highways teams, with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, as a proposal

First step: Anyone could start by recording, for each of the eight schemes in the developments research, what the council’s planning papers and agreement summaries say about schools, SEND, GP and parking, and flag where nothing is found.

Issue: Homes and homelessness, Schools, SEND and attendance, Health and access to care

Funding residents and businesses can apply for

Charities and community groups · grantNext round announced

Get Active, Get Involved (Hampshire Playing Fields Fund)

From
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Amount
£1,000 to £3,500
Who can apply
Non-profit community organisations providing community sport/physical activity (Hampshire and IoW (incl. Portsmouth, Southampton))
Dates
Next round: Opening January 2027 (no day given)

Check with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation ↗ · status checked 10 November 2026

Charities and community groups · grantNext round announced

Michael Austin Harlick Sports Awards

From
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Amount
£200 to £1,000
Who can apply
Sport groups buying trophies/medals for leagues and open competitions for young people aged 4-18 in formal education (Hampshire and IoW (Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton only))
Dates
Next round: 05/01/2027 to 25/10/2027

Check with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation ↗ · status checked 10 November 2026

All funding routes →

Proposals and votes by parties, councillors and MPs

What others have proposed on this issue and what happened to it. A pledge or campaign is not a decision.

External recommendationNot a decision

Healthwatch recommendations on access barriers in Portsmouth

Proposed by
Proposed by Healthwatch Portsmouth (with the University of Portsmouth)
Where and when
Commissioned research report · 27 March 2024
What was proposed
Offer non-digital ways to reach services, including free phones at community centres; tell patients they can ask for a face-to-face GP appointment and offer advance booking and timed call-backs; set out clear mental health pathways; expand NHS dental lists; keep housing applications available offline; update employers’ disability training.
Who can deliver it
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, GP practices, Portsmouth City Council and employers
The money
No costs given
Outcome
External recommendation: not put to a council vote.
What has happened since
Presented to a Health and Wellbeing Board development session in November 2024 and to the Integrated Care Partnership joint committee in January 2025 (Healthwatch’s account). A presentation is not adoption. Part 3 led to the community helpdesks funded by the P3 Board from December 2025. The challenges Portsmouth residents are facing: parts 1, 2 and 3 ↗

Note: Qualitative study: conversations with 18 residents and an event with 6 people from a resident support group (2023). It explains barriers; it does not measure how common they are.

Source: The Challenges Facing Portsmouth Residents: a community-based research study (Part 1) ↗, Pages 60–62 (recommendations); pages 6–7 (method). Checked 10 November 2026.

External recommendationNot a decision

Healthwatch GP access report: telephone, online forms and next steps

Proposed by
Proposed by Healthwatch Portsmouth
Where and when
Published report (survey in April 2026) · 2 November 2026
What was proposed
Improve telephone access and alternatives to online forms, and tell patients what happens next and why they are redirected to another professional.
Who can deliver it
GP practices, Primary Care Networks and NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
The money
No costs given
Outcome
External recommendation: not put to a council vote.
What has happened since
The ICB replied in October 2026 (separate record). Experience of using GP practices in Portsmouth (GP Access Report, October 2026), with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight response ↗

Note: Self-selected survey of 504 people.

Source: Experience of using GP practices in Portsmouth (GP Access Report, October 2026), with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight response ↗. Checked 10 November 2026.

Official responseNot a decision

NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight response to the GP access report

Proposed by
Proposed by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
Where and when
Written response published with the Healthwatch report · October 2026
What was proposed
Commits to work alongside practices, Primary Care Networks, Healthwatch and communities, and says the findings will help shape ongoing improvements.
Who can deliver it
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight
The money
No costs given
Outcome
Official response: not put to a council vote.
What has happened since
An acknowledgement and direction of travel: the response names no funded or delivered action, budget, date or measure. Experience of using GP practices in Portsmouth (GP Access Report, October 2026), with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight response ↗

Note: Recorded separately from the recommendation it answers. Not a commitment.

Source: Experience of using GP practices in Portsmouth (GP Access Report, October 2026), with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight response ↗. Checked 10 November 2026.

All proposals and votes →

6 · How we’ll know

What would show progress

No clear change
  • Outcome: Adults seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months, latest against 3 years earlier; changes smaller than 3.1 are treated as no clear change. Now: no clear change.
  • Target access and prevention where health gaps are greatest: Adults seen by an NHS dentist in 24 months; Life-expectancy gap across deprivation; Preventable deaths under 75; Uptake of the test offer by neighbourhood; Patient experience of contacting a GP practice.
  • Make new leisure facilities usable across the city: Visits by postcode district and concession type; Published prices, concessions and hours; Adult physical activity level; Leisure card holders using each facility.
  • Show what schools, health, road and parking support each major housing scheme has secured and delivered: Schemes with verified school, SEND and GP obligations; Promised, paid, allocated and delivered by scheme and service; Housing Delivery Test result; Registered patients per GP practice; Motor traffic on the city’s roads.

What is not yet known

  • GP access figures and hospital waits for Portsmouth patients only (requested under Freedom of Information)
  • Four-hour and 12-hour A&E waits at Queen Alexandra Hospital by patient home area (requested under Freedom of Information)
  • Ambulance response times in Portsmouth (requested under Freedom of Information)
  • Children’s mental health (CAMHS) waiting times (requested under Freedom of Information)
  • GP and health contributions secured through planning agreements for the major housing schemes (none verified in the records read on 10 November 2026; the council's 2024/25 infrastructure statement gives city totals only) (another source needed)

Cost of living is featured by editorial choice. Other issues follow the order respondents gave the council in its 2025 budget consultation, a survey people chose to take part in; it describes respondents, not all residents.