Before the planned spring 2025 publication of a ten-year health plan, the government invited NHS staff, patients, experts and the public to contribute their views. The consultation used change.nhs.uk as a place to gather proposals and experiences.
Three directions for change
The consultation centred on moving more care from hospitals into communities, replacing analogue processes with digital systems and giving prevention greater emphasis. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting argued that investment needed to be accompanied by changes to how services worked.
Staff experience as part of the evidence
Amanda Pritchard, speaking as NHS England chief executive, described a large staff engagement exercise intended to help spread good practice. Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers and Matthew Taylor of the NHS Confederation also presented the plan as an opportunity to address pressures and improve long-term sustainability.
The connection with social care
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey argued that NHS reform could not be separated from the difficulties facing social care. His response called for that issue to remain part of the debate and for work towards a cross-party solution.
An archive of the discussion
This account records the consultation's stated aims at the time. It reflects the questions the process put before staff and the public, rather than an invitation to participate in a consultation assumed to be still open.
