NHS 10-year Health Plan A new 10-year health plan for the NHS is under way
In October 2024 the government announced development of a new 10-year Health Plan for England. This marked the beginning of Change NHS, a national conversation to gather views from the public and people working in health and care to help shape the future of the NHS.
The plan aims to ensure the NHS is fit for the future by focusing on three ‘shifts’:
- moving care from hospitals to communities
- making better use of technology
- focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it
The Health Foundation responded to the NHS Change consultation to share our evidence, insight and priorities.
Shift 1: moving care from hospitals to communities
Moving more care from hospitals to communities is necessary to meet our changing needs for health care.
People are living longer but with more complex health conditions. 9.1 million people in England are projected to be living with major illness by 2040, and people in the 10% most deprived areas can expect to be diagnosed with major illness a decade earlier than people in the least deprived 10%. Much of this projected growth relates to conditions managed mainly in primary care and community health services.
Shift 2: making better use of technology
Technology holds huge potential for improving the quality of care. It can empower patients to better manage their health and improve efficiency. To realise these benefits, the NHS need to make the most of existing technologies, such as electronic patient records, as well as incorporating the latest advances in technology and AI.
Shift 3: focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it
The NHS was not set up to go it alone. Rebuilding the nation’s health depends on a wider system of public services and support, with a new approach needed to place good health at the heart of national policy decisions.
Spotting illness earlier and tackling the causes of ill health could help people stay healthy and independent for longer and take pressure off health and care services.