In an unprecedented move, the Labour government has launched a nationwide consultation, inviting the “entire nation” to contribute ideas and experiences to help shape a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at fixing what Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called a “broken” National Health Service (NHS).
Involving Public, Staff, and Experts
The consultation, accessible via the online platform change.nhs.uk and the NHS App, welcomes input from members of the public, NHS staff, and healthcare experts. It will remain open until early next year, allowing ample time for a wide range of voices to be heard.
Members of the public, as well as NHS staff and experts will be invited to share their experiences, views and ideas for fixing the NHS.
– Department of Health and Social Care
Three Key Shifts in Healthcare
The feedback gathered will inform the government’s 10-year Health Plan, set to be published in spring 2025. The plan will focus on three major shifts in healthcare delivery:
- From Hospital to Community: Emphasizing primary and preventive care outside of hospitals
- From Analogue to Digital: Leveraging technology to modernize systems and services
- From Sickness to Prevention: Proactively promoting health and wellbeing to reduce illness
Tapping into the Knowledge of NHS Workforce
With 1.54 million employees, the NHS boasts a vast pool of expertise and frontline experience. The government recognizes that harnessing this knowledge is crucial to identifying and addressing the obstacles hindering optimal performance.
Bold ambitions for the NHS can only be achieved by listening to the expertise and knowledge of its 1.54 million strong workforce. Their understanding of what’s holding them back from performing at their best will help us bring down waiting times and provide the world class care the public deserve.
– Department of Health and Social Care
Short-Term Actions and Long-Term Reforms
While the 10-year plan will provide a long-term roadmap, the government is already taking immediate steps to tackle pressing challenges within the NHS. Recent actions include:
- Agreeing to a deal with resident doctors within weeks of taking office
- Securing increased funding for GP practices to manage rising pressures
- Committing to hiring an additional 1,000 GPs by the end of the year
According to a close source, these short-term measures are designed to work hand-in-hand with the longer-term reforms outlined in the forthcoming 10-year plan.
Streeting’s Call to Action
Health Secretary Wes Streeting took to social media to rally public participation, declaring, “Our NHS is broken, but not beaten. We want your help to fix it.”
Today the Prime Minister and I are launching the biggest consultation in NHS history! Calling all patients, staff and partners – share your views and experiences for our 10 Year Plan.
– Wes Streeting, Health Secretary
Budget Framing and Pitch-Rolling
Political observers note that while public consultations serve various purposes, including gathering ideas and fostering a sense of involvement, they also play a crucial role in pitch-rolling – persuading the public that an issue is a top priority requiring significant action and investment.
With the Labour government poised to raise taxes by a record cash amount in the upcoming budget, framing these increases as necessary to fund the “rescue” of the cherished NHS is a key strategic imperative. Insiders suggest that the consultation is as much about building public support for the tax hikes as it is about soliciting policy input.
A Nation United in Concern for the NHS
The NHS consistently ranks as one of the issues British voters care about most deeply. Polling indicates widespread public agreement that the system is in crisis and in urgent need of repair. Against this backdrop, the Labour government’s consultation is likely to generate significant engagement from a populace united in concern for the future of UK healthcare.
As the consultation unfolds in the coming months, the nation will be watching closely to see how the “collective wisdom” of the British people will shape the government’s blueprint for a revitalized, future-proofed NHS.
