The UK Government recently released its new and ambitious NHS 10 year health plan for England, ‘Fit for the Future’. The comprehensive strategy outlines the government’s long term vision to improve the NHS. Furthermore, it will tackle inequalities in access and outcomes, and allow everyone to engage with the NHS on their own terms.
Our healthcare system aims to become more preventative, community-focused, and digitally empowered. As a result, the government plans to invest an additional £29 billion to drive these reforms and, in turn, improve outcomes across the country.
To achieve this vision, the 10 year health plan is split into 3 main radical shifts for the NHS:
- From hospital to community
- From analogue to digital
- From sickness to prevention
Alongside these foundational transformations, the NHS will:
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Run a new operating model to tackle the productivity crisis.
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Prioritise workforce development and retention to strengthen the NHS workforce.
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Empower ICBs as strategic commissioners to oversee local healthcare services.
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Leverage private sector capacity to expand provision, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas.
From hospital to community
The NHS 10-year health plan aims to transform how we access healthcare. To achieve this, it will introduce a neighbourhood health service, that addresses the specific needs of local populations.
This shift will represent a significant change, bringing services directly into our communities to deliver continuous, accessible and integrated care. These services will move care closer to people’s homes, reducing reliance on hospital use and admissions. Essentially, these centres will create a ‘one stop shop’ for patient care.
As a result, through the introduction of neighbourhood health teams, we can expect to see:
- Power put into the hands of the patients – ‘bringing the NHS to you’.
- An end to the 8am scramble for GP appointments.
- The ‘one size fits all’ methods of care will be abolished, and patients’ individual needs will be met.
- Individual care plans will be co-created with patients and will cover holistic needs, not just treatment.
- More integrated working not only within the NHS, but also between the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector will lead to increased efficiencies.
As a result, this new initiative will see a higher share of NHS expenditure come into community settings, with less being required in hospitals over the next 10 years. Ultimately, patient outcomes will be improved through more care being delivered more effectively and more conveniently for them.
From analogue to digital
Technology is at the heart of the NHS 10 year health plan. The government is striving for a fully digitally enabled NHS, improving patient access, providing greater data insights, and enabling seamless data sharing across different healthcare settings and providers.
For example, through the introduction of a single patient record:
- All medical records will be in one place
- Information will be visible across all care settings
- No more repeated stories
- Complete visibility of previous appointments
The NHS App will be transformed into a full front door for the NHS by 2028.
Consequently, patients will be able to:
- Manage their own medications,
- View their data,
- Book and attend appointments,
- Communicate with various health teams,
- Be involved in drafting care plans.
They will be empowered by having more choice of services and providers, options to self refer where clinically appropriate, and direct access to fast advice. Also, feedback will be built in, which will be translated through AI into actions for managers and clinicians to improve service delivery and patient experience.
Ambient AI technology will also be trialled to help clinicians by capturing notes and even uploading them to the patient record.
From sickness to prevention
Additionally, the plan introduces a critical move from sickness to prevention. Everyone will be given the ‘power to make the healthy choices’. The life expectancy gap between the rich and poor is growing, and childhood obesity is continuing to rise.
This shift will focus heavily on preventative measures to ensure we can reach patients earlier, catch illnesses sooner, and aim to prevent them in the first place. Partners across private and voluntary sectors will drive the innovations and technologies that can help people to be healthier.
Specifically, to focus on illness prevention and improve the population’s overall health, the NHS 10-year plan introduces several initiatives, including:
- Encouraging healthier choices around alcohol consumption
- Creating a smoke free generation – children turning 16 this year will never legally be sold tobacco.
- Expanding access to weight loss services and treatment, building on the success of the NHS digital weight management programme.
- Expanding provision of individual placement and support schemes.
- Encouraging people to exercise more frequently.
These initiatives focus on reducing health inequalities, promoting healthier lifestyles, and expanding early interventions. Together, they help people stay healthier for longer and ease the burden of long-term conditions.
What does the NHS 10 year plan mean for mental health?
Moreover, within the NHS 10 year health plan, there is also a significant focus on mental health.
Increasing prevalence highlights the clear links between mental and physical wellbeing.
For example, the plan highlights several key initiatives:
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Increased access to early support for CYP: Schools and colleges will expand Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), benefiting 1 million more young people this year, with full national coverage expected by 2029/30. The introduction of Young Futures Hubs will provide additional support for CYP.
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Expanded mental health support within communities: Mental health services will shift to 24/7 neighbourhood care models, offering open access to specialist services and holistic support. Pilots of these neighbourhood mental health models will test their effectiveness and guide potential expansion.
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Introduction of 85 dedicated mental health emergency departments: £120m will fund increased capacity for urgent mental health care, ensuring fast, same-day access to specialist support in appropriate settings.
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Improved access to digital technologies for mental health support: The NHS App will allow self-referral for talking therapies, and AI tools will help individuals manage depression and anxiety more effectively.
Mayden’s contribution to the NHS 10 year plan
The 10-year health plan offers a powerful opportunity to transform the NHS. With Mayden’s innovative technology and 25 years of experience supporting community and mental health services, we are ready to help drive its successful delivery.
We design digital technology for improved outcomes that is proven to:
- Release cash back into the service
- Streamline operations
- Free up clinical and administrative time
- Increases productivity
- Improve staff wellbeing and retention
- Contribute to the goal of a fully digitally enabled NHS
The plan promotes data-driven decision-making and seamless data sharing. Systems like iaptus capture comprehensive patient data and connect with other clinical systems, such as shared care records. By using these interoperability features, iaptus gives clinicians a complete view of each patient’s journey, so patients don’t have to repeatedly recount their story. This approach supports more coordinated and personalised care.
We are committed to partnering with the NHS to help turn these ambitious plans into a reality, ultimately delivering better, more accessible, and more integrated care for all.
Let’s transform health and care, together.