Major consultation into the future of the NHS opens

The ‘largest ever’ consultation into the future of the NHS has opened today (Monday 21 October).

The consultation will be used to shape the Government’s 10-year plan for the NHS.

It is hoped results will help to build ‘a health service fit for the future,’ underpinned by three key shifts: from sickness to prevention, from analogue to digital, and from hospital to community.

In pursuit of these aims, the Government has already shared its intention to create neighbourhood health centres, and to make patient records available across all NHS trusts and GP surgeries.

The ability to share data across all NHS systems will save NHS staff an estimated 140,000 hours every year, which can then be spent with patients, the Government said.

The AOP has welcomed the consultation, with the association's chief executive, Adam Sampson, saying that it "marks the first step to real long-term, sustainable change.” 

“This is a crucial moment for the NHS. Health and care leaders are committed to deliver on the Government’s ambitions to build an NHS fit for the future," Sampson said. 

He added: “We are encouraged that the Government is willing to take a bold, transformative approach. It is striking that, rather than relying on the usual plethora of established, hospital-dominated policy voices, it is now ready to listen to the public, patients and all corners of the healthcare system, to deliver on their three big shifts in healthcare: from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.  

“Optometry has so much to offer in each of these pillars. Swift and decisive steps from this Government will help to ensure that the patients are put first and receive the eye care they deserve.” 

Those working within the NHS and the wider healthcare sector can share their specific policy ideas via the consultation.

The work is being led by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.

Staff and patients should be ‘the driving seat of reform,’ the Government said.

The health secretary, Wes Streeting, officially opened the consultation at an event at an East London health centre on Monday morning (21 October), calling on ‘the entire nation’ to help shape the Government’s plans.

Working groups covering specific areas will be established to support the development of the 10-year-plan, OT understands. The plan is expected to be published in spring 2025.

The consultation comes in light of the Darzi Report into the state of the NHS, which identified missed waiting time targets and inequality in access to care.

The report also suggested that not enough money had been invested in preventative health services.

Speaking on the launch of the consultation, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, highlighted serious challenges and “more than a decade of underinvestment” in the NHS.

However, he now believes the NHS is “reaching a turning point.”

“The 10-year plan will set the service on a path towards being put on sustainable footing so that it can best serve our population,” Taylor said.

He added: “No one working in the NHS will argue that it works perfectly – its staff have been crying out for change, and we hope the 10-year plan will deliver for them and their communities, including by listening to the reality of their experiences and by incorporating the many examples of best practice and innovation that are taking place across the country.”

Ahead of the consultation launch, Streeting noted the importance of NHS employees sharing their insights.

Streeting said: “Whether you use the NHS or work in it, you see first-hand what’s great, but also what isn’t working. We need your ideas to help turn the NHS around.

“Investment alone won’t be enough to tackle the problems facing the NHS, which is why it must go hand in hand with fundamental reform.”

Streeting hopes the 10-year plan “will revolutionise the way people manage their health and access care.”

“It is vital the Government hears from patients, experts and the NHS workforce to make sure we get this right and preserve the things people value about the health service,” he said.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, called the 10-year plan “a chance to make the best practice, normal practice across the country.”

“We will be carrying out the largest ever staff engagement exercise in NHS history and leaving no stone unturned as we seek to harness frontline views, alongside those of patients and the public, to ensure this happens,” Pritchard said.

She added: “It is your experiences – good, bad, and sometimes frustrating – that we need to help shape this once in a generation opportunity, so please get involved.”

The consultation is open for responses from organisations until 2 December, and until the start of next year for individuals. It can be responded to online.