Swindon 

Located in the north-east of Wiltshire, Swindon is the county’s largest settlement, with a population of more than 220,000 people.

A thriving town, with a history rooted deep in industry, Swindon has expanded greatly within the last 10 years, mainly due to its competitive house prices and its proximity to nearby large towns and cities, such as Bristol, Bath, Reading, Oxford and London. 

Although an attractive place to live and work, especially for new families and high-earning professionals looking to commute, Swindon’s health landscape is marred by a number of challenges. There is a sharp contrast in life expectancy depending where in the town people live. Some studies have suggested that men in the more affluent areas of Swindon could live up to nine years more than those in the more deprived areas. 

Other challenges facing Swindon are similar to those that affect other towns and cities, such as ageing populations, growing obesity levels and an increasing number of people falling victim to drug and alcohol misuse. 

Despite this, Swindon is in a fantastic position to build its health economy into something truly integrated. 

The Great Western Hospital, located to the south of the town, not only provides acute healthcare, but also community care and, more recently, primary care services. Having a single provider for a wide range of services ensures that care can be more joined-up, and puts Swindon in a position that is unique of other similar-sized towns.