The Sunderland Health Bus, developed through a partnership between Sunderland City Council, Sunderland GP Alliance, ARC North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC), and people with lived experience, brought healthcare directly into community settings across the city between April and October 2025.

The service offered flexible, walk-in access to primary care, supported by clinicians and peer workers with lived experience of substance use or homelessness. Designed to reduce barriers such as stigma, digital exclusion and difficulty accessing traditional services, the bus aimed to reach people who often experience some of the poorest health outcomes.

During the pilot, 164 people aged 17 to 92 used the service, with 34% experiencing homelessness. Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 96% rating their experience as good or very good.

Patients valued being able to access care without an appointment, discuss multiple health concerns in one visit, and receive support in a welcoming, non-judgemental environment. Peer workers played a key role in building trust and helping people reconnect with healthcare and wider support services.

The evaluation found that the Health Bus improved access to primary care, strengthened partnership working across services, and increased staff confidence in supporting people with complex needs. Early analysis also suggested a positive social return on investment, with potential for even greater benefits as the model expands.

Following the success of the pilot, Sunderland GP Alliance has secured funding for a permanent Health Bus, helping to build on the project’s legacy and reach more people across the city.

The findings demonstrate how flexible, community-based healthcare can help tackle health inequalities and improve access for some of the region’s most underserved communities.

Read the full research findings: Improving Equity of Access to Primary Healthcare for People with Substance Use Disorders and/or Homelessness.