Residents across Rutland are a step closer to benefiting from health and care services collaborating in one location, Rutland County Council has said.

The local authority's 'Local Link' project is "making good progress" and is on course for completion in late 2026.

Backed by £2.3 million of government Local Regeneration Funding (LRF), the Local Link project aims to create a modern, accessible home for Rutland County Council's adult social care services and public health professionals in Oakham.

Alongside the redevelopment of the building, the project has also funded £2 million of transport improvements by establishing Rutland's demand-responsive CallConnect bus service – helping residents across the county to access health and care.

Located next to Rutland Memorial Hospital, the Local Link project has been designed to strengthen partnership working between Rutland County Council's adult social care teams, NHS colleagues and voluntary sector organisations.

"Bringing services together in one location will make it easier for professionals to work collaboratively, as well as delivering group sessions to support preventative strategies that help keep people and neighbourhoods well," a council statement said.

Construction work began in February 2026 and is now "well advanced".

Demolition and site preparation have been completed, while the building extension and roofing are nearly finished. Work to reconfigure the car park is now underway, with internal fit-out and external landscaping due to follow.

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When complete, the project will provide a fully refurbished and extended accessible public building.

The development will include improved pedestrian routes into the grounds of Rutland Memorial Hospital, wheelchair-accessible facilities, a Changing Places toilet and a sensory garden, creating a welcoming environment for residents, visitors and staff.

"The investment in the CallConnect bus service is another key part of the Local Link project, helping to ensure that residents across Rutland can travel more easily to access adult care support, Rutland Memorial Hospital and the wider range of health services available on the site. Together, the new facility and improved transport links will help remove barriers to accessing support for Rutland's communities," the statement added.