The UK government has released a 10-year NHS plan, focusing on how to improve healthcare services for the future, with a shift toward enhanced technology and closer to home care. Here, experts in the healthcare and tech sector discuss their views on the 10-year plan and how it should be utilised for the wellbeing of millions who depend on it.
Paula Bellostas Muguerza, Global Lead, Healthcare and Life Sciences at Kearney, comments on the infrastructure challenges that come with the 10-year NHS Plan
“The key challenge in moving NHS resources toward prevention lies in rebalancing long-standing funding models and clinical incentives. To succeed, we need clear ROI frameworks, robust data on preventive outcomes and targeted strategies that prioritise underserved groups – especially women, who often face systemic disparities in diagnosis and care. A meaningful health plan must also embed women’s health at every level – reducing gynaecology backlogs, standardising maternity care pathways and expanding access to the Women’s Health hubs started by Dame Lesley Regan. We need a data-driven approach that reflects women’s lived experiences and ensures equity across all life stages.
“Transitioning care from hospitals to community settings demands not just physical infrastructure, but digitally connected services and multidisciplinary teams. Investment in training, flexible career paths and scalable primary care models will be vital to ensure consistency, access and quality across geographies.
“Tapping into the thriving digital health ecosystem in the UK will not only be beneficial for the NHS but also to ensure innovators don’t relocate their businesses to the US once they get close to scale and IPO.”
Ian Burgess, CTO at Canary Care, on the renewed focus of care
“We welcome the government’s 10-Year Health Plan with its renewed focus on in-home care, prioritising technology in both health and social care and finally recognising the crucial contribution of unpaid carers.
“The government’s commitment to provide a personal care plan for 95% of people with complex needs is a vital step towards patient-centric care. However, we cannot ignore the fact that talk of innovation and Digital Transformation must be matched by real, practical action. If the government is truly committed to supporting people, especially those living alone or with complex needs, then social care technology must be at the core of delivery, not sitting on the sidelines.
“Currently, too many local authorities and NHS teams are still struggling to access and implement the technology that makes a difference. Ambitious targets for personal care plans and digital access are only meaningful when backed by proper funding, workforce training and a willingness to drive real change at pace
“Social care technology, including remote monitoring and telecare, is already proven to reduce hospital admissions and support carers, yet scaling up these solutions needs more than just streamlined procurement. We need clear national standards, sustained investment in digital infrastructure for social care, strong leadership and a joined-up approach that truly puts the needs of vulnerable people and their families at the centre. Ensuring digital solutions are accessible and widely adopted is key.”
Dame Barbara Hakin, Chair of the Health Tech and former Deputy Chief Executive of NHSE, in response to the key HealthTech and innovation announcements in the 10 Year Health Plan
“The Health Tech Alliance welcomes the direction set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, particularly the recognition of health tech as a key pillar underpinning the future of the NHS. We are pleased to see the prominent role given to digital and tech innovation which shows a clear understanding that modern healthcare must be both resilient and responsive to patient needs.
“We are especially encouraged by the introduction of the Innovator Passport and the establishment of a rules-based pathway for medical technologies. The Innovator Passport, designed to streamline the adoption of new technologies across NHS trusts, will reduce admin burdens and facilitate a more cohesive and efficient integration of effective innovations into NHS patient care.
“Turning this vision into reality will require close collaboration between policymakers, the NHS and the health tech sector. We look forward to working together to ensure these ambitious plans translate into tangible progress for patients and industry alike.”
Mark Hindle, Managing Director of Tunstall UK and IRE, on community-based services
“The inclusion of the Neighbourhood Health Service in today’s 10-Year Plan is strongly welcomed, especially the emphasis on prevention, personalisation and support for independent living.
“We are particularly encouraged by the recognition of community-based services and local infrastructure as essential resources in achieving this vision. Services like our current response hubs are already demonstrating the value of timely, localised support that enables people to live independently and safely.
“The analogue to digital switchover must be handled with care, ensuring inclusive collaboration and equitable access to digital services. A fully digital telecare infrastructure is foundational to unlocking the benefits of modern, responsive care.”
Jess O’Dwyer, General Manager Europe, Pocketalk, on language barrier devices
“The government’s new 10-year Health Plan for England rightly recognises the need for reform and investment in the NHS, but to truly deliver effective change for the good of all, implementation and education must be front and centre.
“To deliver the plan there must be education on how digital tools can support – not replace – healthcare professionals. Everyone must be aligned and recognise that technology holds the power to transform the NHS. That new technology is ready to go right now and could save the NHS millions, but the process for getting suppliers on board is taking far too long.
“Working within the NHS to address communications challenges in healthcare, we know how slow the NHS has been to adopt new technology, often due to procurement or bureaucratic hurdles. This leads to more issues when healthcare workers are forced to find their own solutions which can compromise security and safety.
“Research that we conducted found that frontline workers resort to using their own personal devices to access apps like Google Translate, to try and bridge communication gaps with patients who don’t speak English – despite clear guidance against it. This highlights the real-world urgency for appropriate, integrated tech solutions that can quickly, cost-effectively and easily slot into the NHS’s structure for a country that is multi-cultural and multilingual.
“We must ensure that new technology enables every patient to receive messages in their desired language. A common reason for complaints in the NHS is poor communication.
“As Keir Starmer mentioned, incorporating efficient and effective tech will help free up and support NHS staff to do what they know best and focus on the patient, also helping save NHS time and money; we look forward to the possibility of partnering with the NHS in this endeavour.”
James Urquhart-Burton, Head of Continuing Healthcare Claims and Solicitor at Winston Solicitors discusses the details outlined within the plan
“The new 10-year plan includes several pillars that appear positive for those with complex, long-term health needs:
- Expansion of Personal Health Budgets (PHBs): The plan commits to doubling the number of people offered a PHB by 2028-29. The aim is to make them a ‘universal offer’ for all who could benefit by 2035, which aligns with the CHC principle of personalised care
- A ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’: There is a stated goal to shift care closer to home through new neighbourhood health centres. These would be staffed by integrated teams from the NHS, social care and voluntary services. The plan also includes a commitment to universal care plans for people with complex needs by 2027
- A shift in funding from hospitals to community: The plan states a commitment to move funding away from acute hospital settings and towards community-based and preventive care
- Digital Transformations: The plan aims to empower patients through the NHS App to view and manage their own care plans. It also intends to use genomics and predictive analytics to create proactive care plans based on risk profiles
“As a specialist CHC solicitor, my role is now more vital than ever. Those in my position must be prepared to carefully scrutinise funding decisions, highlighting any inconsistencies between the government’s own policy of personalised, community-based care and the reality of a shrinking budget.”
For further insights into this discussion, read more at https://www.winstonsolicitors.co.uk/nhs-continuing-healthcare-funding
John Clarke, Head of Client Solutions – Health, Netcall, on implementing technology solutions to enhance both the patient and employee experience
“The NHS 10-Year Plan outlines a clear commitment to a more connected, preventative and digitally enabled health system. Central to achieving this is ‘technology’ such as the NHS App, evolving into the digital front door for patients – offering AI-powered symptom checkers, streamlined appointment booking and access to unified patient records through a federated data platform. Combined with a focus on community-based care and prevention, this digital-first approach is set to transform how services are accessed and delivered.
“By enabling timely, personalised interactions and reducing administrative burden, healthcare providers can deliver better experiences and outcomes at scale.”
Professor Sultan Mahmud, Director of Health and Communities, BT, on the technology involved in the NHS healthcare plan
“We are seeing greater emphasis placed on combining healthcare services with other public service support, which hopes to tackle some of the root causes of ill health, like obesity.
“The prime minister also rightfully pointed out the transformative role AI and technology are already playing in helping the NHS be more human by freeing up frontline staff to focus on what matters most, delivering personalised patient care.
“The success of this vision will rely on the right foundations of secure digital infrastructure in every neighbourhood health centre, support for digital-first services and the safe deployment of AI and smart diagnostic tools.”
John Patterson, President of IKE Tech, discusses verification technology within the new health plan
“While the government’s 10-year health plan aspires to end the harms of tobacco and create a smoke-free generation, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill does not go far enough to achieve these aims.
“To achieve a truly smoke-free generation, action must go beyond retail regulation. Just as in other public health challenges, we need to harness digital innovation, like technology for effective age verification at the point of use, to ensure vapes activate only in the hands of adults.”
Philip Pugh, Partner in Corporate Healthcare, on how the NHS 10-year plan will benefit MedTech
“The introduction of Innovator Passports should speed up the rollout of MedTech applications across the NHS.
“Currently, MedTech businesses will often be asked for the same data by different NHS trusts. Eliminating multiple compliance assessments and duplication should therefore make the UK more appealing as a base for their operations.
“As a result, NHS patients would benefit by having greater and quicker access to the latest treatments, without falling victim to the ‘postcode lottery’ that has favoured those living in trusts that have made breakthroughs with such treatments.
“The government must also recognise that not all trusts are at the same stage of digital maturity, as outlined by NHS Confederation CEO Matthew Taylor. Investment in technology will be crucial as cost-cutting measures won’t turn around the NHS.”
