The NHS 10-year plan

The UK government has set out a new 10-year plan for the NHS in England, designed to tackle long-standing challenges and build a health service fit for the future. 

What is the plan?
This long-term strategy sets out to modernise the health service by 2035, focusing on preventing illness rather than just treating it. Key goals include:

• Cutting waiting times

• Increasing same-day GP appointments

• Eliminating cervical cancer by 2040

• Embedding mental health support in schools

• Moving care into the community, so people can be treated closer to home

What will it mean for patients and staff?
For patients, the changes should mean faster access to care and a more integrated experience. New diagnostic hubs are already helping reduce wait times for scans and tests. Digital tools – including AI for early diagnosis – will be rolled out to improve efficiency and accuracy. The plan also addresses NHS staffing. With new medical apprenticeships, training routes and efforts to retain experienced staff, it promises a more diverse, better-supported workforce for the future.

Why is this happening now?
The COVID-19 pandemic placed strain on the NHS, but also showed how quickly it can adapt. From digital GP appointments to mass vaccination, the situation accelerated innovation. The new plan builds on that progress – not just recovering from recent pressures, but reshaping the system for the long term. The government sees this plan as an opportunity to create a more resilient NHS.

What are the challenges?
As with any large-scale reform, there are hurdles. NHS leaders warn that delivery depends on adequate funding, workforce capacity and infrastructure improvements. While England is moving forward, progress across the UK remains uneven, raising concerns about regional disparities. Still, the direction is clear. This 10-year plan offers a chance to rebuild the NHS with prevention, technology and people at its heart.