The UK government has launched the most extensive national conversation about the NHS since its creation, inviting the public, NHS staff and health experts to contribute their ideas on shaping its future.
Through an online platform – change.nhs.UK – available until early 2025, participants can share their views on what needs improvement and how to address current challenges. This feedback will be crucial in shaping the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, set to be published in spring 2025. The plan will centre on three major shifts in healthcare: moving care from hospitals to communities, transitioning from analogue to digital systems, and shifting the focus from treating illness to preventing it.
Shifting care from hospitals to communities
The first key shift in the 10-Year Health Plan is aimed at reducing the burden on hospitals by relocating more care into local communities. Under this “hospital to community” approach, neighbourhood health centres will be established, offering a range of services in one place. These centres will allow patients to consult general practitioners, physiotherapists, district nurses, mental health specialists, and other healthcare providers under one roof. The goal is to make healthcare more accessible and reduce reliance on hospital visits for non-emergency care, which can often overwhelm hospital resources.
These community-based health centres will be located closer to patients’ homes, improving accessibility, especially for individuals in rural or underserved areas. By decentralising care, the government hopes to relieve pressure on hospitals, reduce waiting times, and improve overall patient satisfaction. It’s also a step towards a more integrated approach to health, where different health professionals work together to provide seamless care tailored to individual needs.
A digital transformation for the NHS
The second major shift involves digitising NHS processes to create a more efficient and modern healthcare system. The government plans to introduce a unified patient record system accessible through the NHS App. This system will consolidate patient health information, test results, and medical correspondence into a single, accessible digital record. By doing so, patients will no longer need to repeatedly explain their medical history at each appointment, and healthcare professionals will have a clearer, more complete view of each patient’s health.
This digital overhaul is also expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens on NHS staff. An estimated 140,000 hours of staff time could be saved annually, which would be redirected towards patient care. Furthermore, by enabling seamless data sharing across all NHS trusts, GP surgeries, and ambulance services, the initiative aims to reduce medication errors, speed up diagnostic processes, and eliminate the need for repeated tests.
From treating sickness to preventing illness
The final focus of the plan is to shift from a reactive healthcare model that treats illness to a proactive one that emphasises disease prevention. This shift reflects the growing understanding that many chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be better managed or even prevented with early intervention.
Wearable technologies like smartwatches and fitness trackers may play a crucial role in this shift. These devices could allow patients to monitor their own health indicators, such as blood sugar levels or blood pressure, in real time from home. By providing patients with more control over their health, the NHS hopes to reduce hospital admissions and improve long-term health outcomes. This approach aims to decrease the time people spend in poor health, promoting better overall well-being across the population.
Ultimately, the 10-Year Health Plan represents a bold vision for transforming the NHS into a more patient-centred, efficient, and proactive healthcare system. By embracing innovation, digitisation, and community-based care, the plan seeks to secure a sustainable future for the NHS, benefiting both patients and healthcare workers.
Have your say on the future of the NHS at change.nhs.UK or on the NHS App.
If you wish to take part in an alternative format, please email changenhs@thinksinsight.com.