The Health Foundation podcast

51: What should the NHS 10-year plan look like? – with Nigel Edwards and Hugh Alderwick

Jan 30, 2025

Nigel Edwards, former Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust, and Hugh Alderwick, Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, dive into the pressing need for a transformative 10-year plan for the NHS. They discuss the importance of learning from previous reforms and engaging stakeholders to improve primary and community care services. The conversation explores the balance of collaboration and competition within the NHS, the role of technology in healthcare, and the public's unwavering support despite challenges like long waiting lists and access to mental health services.

32:48

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Episode guests

Hugh Alderwick

Nigel Edwards

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The NHS 10-year plan must establish a coherent theory of change to effectively manage implementation and address systemic challenges.

Engaging frontline staff and local systems in decision-making is crucial for fostering meaningful reform and innovation in the NHS.

Deep dives

Challenges Facing the NHS

The NHS is currently grappling with significant challenges that have become a primary concern for the public and government alike. Despite receiving normal budget growth within a tight fiscal environment, the pressure to create a comprehensive 10-year plan is immense. Previous plans have suffered from a lack of a clear theory of change and have presented numerous priorities without a true sense of focus. To address these issues effectively, stakeholders must prioritize establishing a strong primary care platform and consider the essential role of social care in alleviating systemic blockages.

Intro

4min

Navigating NHS Reform Challenges

14min

Public Support for the NHS: Navigating Challenges and Expectations

2min

Navigating Collaboration and Competition in the NHS

2min

Reforming the NHS: Balancing Ideology and Innovation

6min

Challenges and Solutions in NHS Healthcare Access

5min

There’s been no shortage of NHS plans over the years – what needs to be different this time?

Health and care services are facing acute pressures and the NHS tops the public’s list of priorities. The government has pledged to ‘reimagine’ the NHS via a 10-year plan, expected in the spring.

The pressure is now on to develop a credible reform plan. It will need to address the huge challenges of changing health care needs and capitalise on the opportunities ahead, including those stemming from new technologies. All within a challenging fiscal context.

So what needs to be in the plan on key priorities – primary care, community services, and improving hospital services? What are the lessons from past NHS plans? And how can policymakers bring front-line staff with them and provide hope their working lives will improve?

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by: