The government has published its new long-term strategy for the NHS in England: “Fit for the Future: A 10-Year Health Plan for England”. The document lays out an ambitious programme to reshape how health services are delivered. While primarily a health policy, its implications extend far beyond the NHS – to economic growth and the future of public service delivery.
Key highlights:
1. From hospital to community
The plan promises a shift away from the hospital-centric operating model that currently prevails. The ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’ proposes bringing care into local communities to provide continuous, accessible and integrated care.
2. Analogue to digital
Among the digital transformations envisaged, the NHS App will become a ‘doctor in your pocket’. By 2028, the app will function as a full front door to the entire NHS, allowing patients to get instant advice, choose providers, book tests and manage medicines.
3. Sickness to prevention
A ‘cross-societal’ push on prevention will aim to reduce the levels of ill health in areas such as obesity that place immense strain on NHS services. Advertising restrictions, raising school food standards and tackling alcohol consumption will all play a role.
Our view:
Health policy is now inseparable from economic strategy. As of April 2025, 9.2 million working-age adults were economically inactive – with over 3 million due to long-term sickness. Tackling this challenge isn’t just a public health imperative, it’s central to raising the UK’s growth potential and securing the tax base needed to support an ageing population.
The plan rightly emphasises prevention and more localised, integrated care. But that shift will have major implications for local authorities – especially those already under pressure in adult social care. Clarity on funding, capacity, and the exact role of local partners will be essential.
Meanwhile, the digital transformation agenda offers real promise – but only if delivery capacity on the ground is addressed. In many parts of the country, particularly outside large cities, the foundations for digital health remain fragile. Aligning this strategy with local digital infrastructure and broadband investment plans will be key to success.
Looking ahead:
Following the publication of the 10-year plan for the NHS, we will continue our focus on health policy and look specifically at NHS dentistry in our next briefing. Constrained capacity and ‘dental deserts’ are a frequently cited issue in the South East – we will look at how collaboration between the public and private sectors can address this issue moving forwards.
