Health Spot is an award-winning model that brings experienced GPs into trusted youth spaces to provide free, confidential primary care for young people.
Developed and led by Poplar HARCA’s youth service Spotlight with NHS partners, Docklands Outreach and Safe East, Health Spot is designed to be both impactful and replicable.
Young people face growing mental and physical health needs, yet many struggle to access mainstream GP services. Worries about confidentiality, complex appointment systems, and the absence of a trusted adult often stop them seeking help.
Health Spot resolves these barriers by locating primary care inside the safe community environments young people already use. By pairing clinical expertise with the role of the youth worker, the model ensures every young person receives accessible, timely and non-judgemental support.
How Health Spot Works
A GP clinic inside a youth hub
Health Spot operates regular GP sessions (in-person and remote) from community youth centres like Spotlight. This brings healthcare directly to young people.
Youth workers at the heart of the model
A defining feature of Health Spot is the “golden thread” role of the youth worker – the trusted adult who introduces, supports and follows up with young people. This relationship is central to the model’s success and is uncommon in traditional primary care.
An integrated network of partners
The model blends youth work, primary care, outreach and specialist services. Young people can access GP appointments, sexual health services, mental health support and specialist referral pathways all from one trusted location.
A fully accessible offer
Health Spot provides confidential support for 11–19 year-olds (and up to 25 for young people with SEND), with evening sessions and youth-friendly clinicians who understand the challenges young people face.
Impact and Early Results
Health Spot offers over 1,000 appointments each year and since launching in 2020 has achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction. A 2023 survey showed:
- 100% of young people said conversations felt confidential
- 100% felt Health Spot was a safe space
- 100% would recommend the service
The service has reached young people with significant levels of need, including those known to social care, those excluded from school, and young people with learning needs. Clinicians and youth workers consistently report that the model prevents issues escalating into crisis and improves long-term engagement with health services.
After launching through Spotlight’s own network of youth spaces in Tower Hamlets, the model has successfully been replicated in other parts of London, including Hackney and Newham.