NHS 10 Year Plan welcomed – but action needed now

The plan will “fundamentally rewire” the NHS in England, the Government said when unveiling the strategy, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting saying the health service is at the point of “change or bust”.

The 10-year plan will focus on three key areas of healthcare – more community care being delivered, to help people out of hospitals; a switch from analogue to digital, with increased use of the NHS app; and a focus on prevention rather than treatment, to support people in changing their lives and lifestyles.

Over the next decade, around 200 new ‘neighbourhood health centres’ will be created, staffed by GPs, nurses, social care workers, pharmacists, mental health specialists and other medical professionals. These centres will be open for 12-hours a day, six days a week.

The plans have been welcomed as a means to tackle deep-rooted issues within the NHS – but for those being treated in hospitals today, there are no immediate steps to tackle the quality of care being received.

Law firm Slater and Gordon acts for individuals and families nationally who have been impacted by poor care within the NHS, and is a passionate advocate for the need for better standards.

Emma Doughty, Head of Clinical Negligence, says: “The problems within the NHS are of course huge and multi-faceted - massive waiting times and growing waiting lists, staff shortages and overstretched teams, a lack of beds, poorly maintained hospitals and budget pressures all combine to create a really worrying healthcare system, which families across the country depend upon for their care.

“The 10-year plan does address some of the major long-term challenges the NHS faces, and while there is no quick or easy fix, it does at least go some way to addressing what is needed. However, for those who rely on care now, there are no urgent steps being taken to address the failings we know exist, which we as clinical negligence lawyers see every day, and which are utterly unacceptable and can leave whole families traumatised and devastated.

“While a strategy for the future is welcome, we do need to act urgently to ensure those who are relying on the NHS to protect them and their families are able to access appropriate care, and not experience a health service that continues to put them at risk.”