Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 August 2025.

Under a joint information sharing agreement, pharmaceutical companies will be invited to register early with the MHRA and NICE to allow parallel decision making over licencing and value.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today (Wednesday, 6 August) described how the 10-Year Health Plan will lead to faster medicines access for patients in the NHS in England.

Under a joint information sharing agreement, pharmaceutical companies will be invited to register early with both agencies to allow parallel decision making over licencing and value. It will mean more medicines receive approval for use on the NHS in England at the same time as they are licensed for use in the UK. It’s anticipated that patients in England will receive the newest medicines 3-6 months earlier as a result.

Part of the 10-Year Health Plan and industrial strategy, the new joint service reflects the government’s commitment to smarter regulation, with a target to cut administrative costs for businesses by 25%.

The enhanced coordinated approach offers medicine developers an integrated advice service and an aligned pathway to help them streamline both regulatory and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) requirements and provides a clearer route to help get their treatments to patients.

To benefit from this service, companies should register their products on UK PharmaScan, the national horizon scanning database, at least three years before their expected marketing authorisation.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

“This government is slashing red tape and turbocharging economic growth of the life sciences sector so patients can get the innovative treatments they need, faster.

“To save our NHS and make it fit for the future we have to do things differently. By having two of our most important regulators join forces we’ll rapidly remove barriers, get patients access to vital medicines, and grow the economy.

“With a technological and life sciences revolution taking place, Britain should be at the forefront of it. Our 10 Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan will help us drive the breakthroughs we need to be best in class and boost growth across the country.”

Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said:

“We are completely focused on making sure patients can benefit from safe, effective and affordable medicines and treatments as soon as possible.

“We are working in closer partnership with NICE to build a faster and more efficient regulatory system, designed to accelerate UK market entry and deliver innovative, life-changing treatments to NHS patients faster.

“This marks an important step in delivering smarter regulation – strengthening UK’s global life sciences offer and reinforcing our position as an attractive destination for innovation and international investment.”

Dr Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of NICE, said:

“Patients in England are already receiving medicines much earlier as NICE is evaluating treatments faster than ever before. In the year to March the time between licence and guidance was cut by 26% and when companies work with us to reduce timelines NICE guidance is published on average just 48 days after licence.

“This joint working with our partners at the MHRA will allow us to accelerate medicines into the NHS even further to help transform the health of the nation, alleviate pressure on the service where possible and support a thriving life sciences sector in this country.”

Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of Medicines UK, said:

“This new joint approach between NICE and the MHRA is very welcome, particularly in supporting the earlier launch of new biosimilar medicines, which means more patients can be treated sooner.

“Streamlining market entry will further enhance the UK’s attractiveness as a first-choice country for introducing new medicines.”

Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said:

“We welcome this initiative, which represents one of many necessary improvements in the UK health and life sciences ecosystem. Streamlining approval processes will allow both agencies to give patients earlier and equitable access to the innovative medicines needed to improve UK health outcomes.

“We look forward to continued progress in other areas to enable the life sciences sector to fulfil its growth potential for the benefit of patients, the NHS and the economy.”

Notes to editors

About MHRA

• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
• The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
• For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

About NICE

NICE’s core purpose is to help practitioners and commissioners get the best care to people, fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer.
We do this by:

• producing useful and usable guidance for health and care practitioners
• providing rigorous, independent assessment of complex evidence for new health technologies
• developing recommendations that focus on what matters most and drive innovation into the hands of health and care practitioners
• encouraging the uptake of best practice to improve outcomes for everyone.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 August 2025.

New measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures will be introduced by the government.

• Only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts
• Clinics administering fillers and Botox will need to meet strict standards to obtain a licence
• Kids to be protected from dangerous beauty trends on social media through plans for new age restrictions on treatments
• Robust measures will protect people and save the NHS time and money fixing botched procedures

Tough new measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures that have left people maimed, injured and in need of urgent NHS care will be introduced by the government.

Only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts.

These must be done by specialised healthcare workers working in providers that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The planned crackdown follows a series of incidents where people have had high-risk treatments from people with little or no medical training, leading to dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death. These new rules will protect people from unqualified, rogue operators and reduce the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

The new measures follow growing alarm over unqualified individuals performing invasive treatments in unsafe environments – including homes, hotels and pop-up clinics. Many of these procedures are marketed as non-surgical but, in reality, are invasive and carry serious risks.

Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said:

The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.

This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change.

This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

Other lower-risk cosmetic treatments – including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers – will also come under stricter oversight through a new local authority licensing system. Practitioners will be required to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate. Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest-risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties.

The government also plans to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional.

Through our Plan for Change the government is determined to bolster patient safety. These changes will ensure consumers can be confident the treatment they receive is safe and of a high standard. It will also provide business with better protections, enabling reputable and safe providers to be easily identifiable to patients.

Priority will be given to introducing regulations to restrict the highest-risk procedures first – such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals. A public consultation will be published early next year. This will seek views on the range of procedures which should be covered in the new restrictions.

While the measures are being developed, the government urges anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to check their provider’s qualifications and insurance, and to avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap.

Millie Kendall OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the British Beauty Council, said:

The British Beauty Council has worked tirelessly in pushing for increased regulation of the aesthetics sector since its inception. I therefore fully welcome the government’s announcement that it is pushing forward with legislation.

Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector.

We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector. This is the first step forward in raising the reputation of our £30.4 billion industry.

Background information

The new regulations will be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny before they are introduced.

The government will also work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals for consultation on introducing the licensing regime for lower-risk procedures to seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

The government’s commitment follows a consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures launched in September 2023, which received almost 12,000 responses. This was the first consultation on proposals for strengthening regulation in this space. The government will run further consultations, as there are many issues to consider in designing the regulation which were not within the remit of this initial consultation. Read the full response to the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures consultation.

The new measures will also be instrumental in saving the NHS money by reducing the work following failed procedures, helping deliver value for the taxpayer.

The measures come as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), local authorities and the NHS continue to investigate after a number of people had adverse reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin. This is another reminder for the public to ensure they are receiving products licensed for use in England and only administered by practitioners sufficiently trained. The NHS website has information about choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure.

Additional quotes

Ashton Collins, Director, Save Face, said:

I am delighted that the government has recognised the significant and potentially fatal risks posed by highly dangerous procedures like liquid Brazilian butt lifts, and has made it a priority to implement restrictions to protect public safety.

We have been campaigning tirelessly for nearly 2 years for this critical change and have supported over 750 women who have endured traumatic experiences. I have seen first hand the devastating impact these procedures can have on the lives of victims and their families – none more so than the family of Alice Webb.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders throughout the next stages of this process, to build a safer landscape for the public and promote high standards across the industry.

Professor David Sines CBE PhD, Executive Chair and Registrar at the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), said:

The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners warmly welcomes the UK government’s decision to introduce legislation to regulate and license cosmetic procedures according to the risks they present. Their ‘Plan for Change’ signals a commitment in the strongest terms and it accords with JCCP’s widely publicised call for statutory regulation.

The introduction of standards to ensure that patients are safeguarded and protected from harm, ensuring that all cosmetic practitioners are regulated and licensed to a new national education and training standard, that they are appropriately insured and that they work from safe premises at all times has become imperative. These proposals have our full support and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation.

Diane Hey, Chief Executive Officer of Armonia Health and Beauty, Beauty Professional Trailblazer Apprenticeship steering group chair and Beauty Industry Group Licensing Task and Finish group chair, said:

This long-awaited action is a critical step in protecting the public from the dangers of unregulated and unsafe non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For too long, poorly trained individuals completing short courses have been able to carry out high-risk procedures with little accountability. These new measures will help safeguard the public, uphold professional standards, and reinforce the importance of regulated, high-quality education and training within the sector.

They will provide protection and recognition for reputable, safe practitioners who have spent years developing their knowledge and skills, while also clearly signposting those wishing to enter the sector towards trusted, regulated education pathways.

We look forward to supporting the development of the licensing regime and shaping the wider scope of procedures included, based on proportionate risk. This is crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring only competent, qualified practitioners deliver these procedures, in recognised premises.

Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

We welcome the introduction of improved regulation and a new scheme of licensing. We look forward to continuing to work with the government in order to achieve a licensing scheme that includes the full range of procedures that were to be covered by the scheme in the original consultation.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 2 August 2025.

Thousands of mothers and babies will benefit from extended support to breastfeeding services this year.

• Government extends National Breastfeeding Helpline to provide round-the-clock support for families
• £18.5 million investment this year in infant feeding support through Family Hubs and Start for Life programme
• Support forms part of mission to give children the best start in life under government’s Plan for Change

Thousands of mothers and babies will benefit from extended support to breastfeeding services this year, thanks to government assistance.

The government has extended the National Breastfeeding Helpline – helping to ensure more mothers across the UK can access dedicated breastfeeding support 24 hours a day.

It means all parents can access free, non-judgemental, evidence-based information and support on breastfeeding whenever they need it – recognising that feeding challenges can arise at any time of the day or night.

The government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and giving every child the best start in life. That includes helping families to access support to feed their baby. It’s important that all parents and caregivers are supported to make the choice that’s right for them and can access the help they need to achieve their infant feeding goals.

The service is just one of the ways the government is helping families through the Plan for Change. The announcement comes as the government undertakes a complete reform of family services, including the roll-out of up to 1,000 new Best Start Family Hubs across every local authority, ensuring parents can easily access joined-up early help on everything from breastfeeding to mental health and housing.

The government is providing £126 million in funding in 2025 to 2026 to support its Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, which helps families with advice and support services including infant feeding, parenting classes and perinatal mental health support, among other areas.

Public Health and Prevention Minister Ashley Dalton said:

Supporting women and families is a top priority for this government, which is why I am so pleased to announce the extension of the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

Many parents will know the struggle of being up in the middle of the night, desperately trying anything to get your baby to feed. It can be incredibly overwhelming and deeply lonely.

We are determined to make sure more women get the support they need through this vital 24/7 helpline.

And through our Plan for Change, we’re going further to ensure every child gets the best start in life. We’ve provided extra funding for local infant feeding services through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, where parents can access drop-in sessions for practical and emotional support.

Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby, said:

Ensuring families have the support they need from day one is central to delivering our Plan for Change and giving every child the best start in life.

We know those first days and weeks can be overwhelming, and services like the National Breastfeeding Helpline are there to give parents reassurance and expert help whenever they need it most.

And this is just one part of a much bigger effort to transform how families are supported – with new Best Start Family Hubs opening in every local area across the country over the coming years, taking the best of family hubs and honouring the proud legacy of Sure Start to give parents the support they deserve in the earliest years of their children’s lives.

Catherine Hine, Chief Executive of the Breastfeeding Network said:

The National Breastfeeding Helpline is a vital source of infant feeding support, run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, and trusted by tens of thousands of families every year.

While some callers seek help for a wider range of infant feeding challenges, we know that almost 9 in 10 (89%) callers are more confident to continue breastfeeding after contacting the helpline. Many women also call to talk about combination feeding, introducing solids, stopping breastfeeding and formula feeding.

We’re really excited that shifting to a 24-hour service has been so popular and that our great team are being contacted by women and families throughout the UK and with a wide variety of backgrounds and infant feeding experiences.

The government has outlined a series of measures to improve care and support for women and families. Last month the Health Secretary announced a national investigation into maternity and neonatal services to drive urgent improvements to care and safety, addressing systemic problems dating back over 15 years.

Background information

The National Breastfeeding Helpline is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Through the helpline, families across the UK have access to trained peer supporters who provide practical, non-judgemental information and support on breastfeeding and infant feeding to anyone who needs it. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year by telephone and social media.

The helpline has been extended for the financial year 2025 to 2026 and more support is now available through the night.

Evidence shows breastfeeding provides significant benefits for both mothers and babies. It’s important that families are supported to make the choice that’s right for them and have easy access to quality advice and services to help them achieve their infant feeding goals. The helpline is supporting families to overcome challenges that might prevent mothers from successfully breastfeeding.

The government is taking further steps to improve infant feeding support, including investing £18.5 million through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme in 2025 to 2026 to improve infant feeding support across 75 local authorities in England. Local authorities are using this investment to strengthen existing support and introduce new offers to help families access breastfeeding support when they need it and in a location that suits them.

This funding for local infant feeding services forms part of the £126 million investment in the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme for 75 local authorities. Family hubs deliver integrated services including parenting support, health visiting and early childhood development programmes. These services work together to ensure families receive comprehensive support during the critical first 1,001 days of a child’s life.

Parents can also access support online on a range of topics from healthy pregnancy to feeding their baby at Start for Life on the NHS website.

This announcement demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever. This investment supports the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. Alongside investment in the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, the government is taking action to improve maternity care, strengthen health visiting services, increase access to vaccinations, and reduce tooth decay in children.

You can contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline through their website or by calling 0300 100 0212.

Find out more information on the government’s Best Start in Life strategy .

Find out more information on Start for Life services funding.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 24 July 2025.

Boost is part of Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS by shifting healthcare from hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble.

• More than 2,000 extra GPs have now been hired across the country after government action to slash red tape
• Independent survey shows progress on ending the 8am scramble, with patients finding it easier to contact GP practices
• Plan for Change is shifting care out of hospital and into the community as government brings back the family doctor

Millions more GP appointments are now being delivered across the country and an extra 2,000 GPs have been hired nationwide since last October, as the government’s Plan for Change brings back the family doctor.

The average GP is responsible for 2,300 patients, and the new tranche could deliver over 4 million additional appointments per year.

It comes as encouraging new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the number of patients who found it difficult to contact their practice has fallen significantly from 18.7% in July and August 2024 to 10.6% in May and June this year.

A total of 96.3% of patients who tried to contact their practice in the past 28 days were successful, while the number of patients who had a poor experience of their GP practice fell from 15% to 10.9% in the same period.

In May 2025, an extra 12,000 GP appointments were delivered every working day compared to May 2024.

The recruitment boost – which has already delivered an extra 2,000 GPs – forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which is rebuilding the NHS by shifting healthcare out of hospitals into the community and ending the 8am scramble.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

We said we’d deliver 1,000 more GPs this year – and we’ve busted that target, bringing 2,000 more GPs on board. With proper investment and reform we are turning the tide on our NHS, and patients are beginning to feel the benefit.

We still have a long road ahead, and this government is determined to keep our foot on the gas.

Our Plan for Change will deliver this progress, creating a Neighbourhood Health Service that puts GPs at its heart and makes sure the NHS is there for everyone, whenever they need it.

Last month the government set out its 10 Year Health Plan which outlines the reforms government is driving forwards to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. The plan will train thousands more GPs and create a new Neighbourhood Health Service, so millions of patients can be treated and cared for closer to their homes by pioneering teams – some based entirely under one roof.

When the government came into office last year, unnecessary red tape was preventing practices from hiring newly qualified GPs, meaning more than 1,000 were due to graduate into unemployment.

At the same time, there were also 1,399 fewer fully qualified GPs than a decade prior, with years of underfunding and neglect eroding GP services.

The government took immediate action and invested an extra £82 million to allow networks of practices to hire GPs, with the funding continuing past this year.

This recruitment was made possible by the tough but fair decisions the Chancellor took at the budget to fix the foundations of the NHS, enabling the government to provide almost £26 billion to get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.

The Plan for Change is already transforming the NHS for patients and staff. Backed by the government’s major cash injection of over £102 million, more than 1,000 GP surgeries will receive over £102 million to create additional space to see more patients and deliver 8.3 million more appointments each year.

An extra 4.6 million elective appointments have been delivered since July 2024 – over double the government’s target. The upgraded NHS App will also act as a digital front door to the health service, overhauling how people get advice, manage appointments and interact with services to make their healthcare more convenient and more personalised.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 July 2025.

Better care for patients living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, with plans to invest in research and offer care closer to home.

• Better care closer to home for patients living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Plan outlines clear steps to improve care for patients, by investing in research and offering access to care in the community
• Actions build on government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan to rebuild the NHS and put patients’ needs at the heart of care

Patients living with debilitating conditions are set to receive improved care closer to home, thanks to government plans published today (22 July 2025).

The government has committed to changing attitudes and transforming care for patients with ME/CFS.

The condition affects approximately 390,000 people in the UK, causing debilitating fatigue, sleep problems and difficulties with thinking, concentration and memory. The impact of this condition varies between cases, but severe ME/CFS, which is thought to affect a quarter of those diagnosed, leaves patients housebound or unable to work.

The plan published today provides the foundations for significant improvements in all key areas that affect people living with ME/CFS in England, many of whom currently struggle to access appropriate care tailored to their complex condition.

As a priority, the plan will introduce new training for NHS healthcare professionals, featuring up-to-date learning resources to increase understanding and ensure signs are not missed. This will help combat the stigma faced by people living with ME/CFS, which stems from a lack of awareness about the condition.

The rollout of neighbourhood health services as set out in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan will also see ME/CFS patients able to access care closer to home, with specially trained staff able to support those with complex needs.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said:

ME/CFS is a debilitating illness that can severely limit patients’ ability to participate in everyday activities, maintain employment, or enjoy family and social life.

Today’s plan will help tackle the stigma and lack of awareness of this condition through improved training for NHS staff.

And through our neighbourhood health services, we will ensure patients suffering from the effects of ME/CFS can access quality care, closer to home, as pledged in our 10 Year Health Plan.

Our Plan for Change is transforming how patients experience care and this plan represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the long-standing gaps in care and support for people with these conditions, with patient access to appropriate care at its heart.

Sonya Chowdhury, Chief Executive, Action for ME, said:

This is an important step for the ME community, long overlooked and under-served. The plan must not be a token gesture – it requires a sustained, strategic commitment to care, funding, and research. Without it, meaningful outcomes for people with ME will not be achieved.

The plan includes increased funding for research, awarded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, into how existing medicines can be used for ME/CFS. This initiative aims to give patients access to a wider range of potential treatments.

It will also address the specific needs of children and young people, ensuring they receive appropriate and timely support in education settings.

Recognising that ME/CFS affects people’s ability to work, the plan includes wider government initiatives to address issues with benefit assessment processes and provide support to help patients with long-term conditions and disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment where possible.

Offering care closer to home forms part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to rebuild the NHS, putting patients’ needs first and delivering effective, accessible treatment.

The government will continue to work with stakeholders and build on the foundations of actions in the final delivery plan well beyond its publication, reaffirming our commitment to ongoing development and improvement. This all forms part of the government’s Plan for Change to build an NHS fit for the future and one which offers the highest-quality, personalised care.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 17 July 2025.

Hundreds of thousands of patients with long-term conditions will be automatically referred to specialist charities at the point of diagnosis.

• Better support to understand and manage conditions from day one, improving quality of life and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits, supporting an NHS fit for the future as part of the Plan for change
• Announced by the Prime Minister at the Civil Society Summit – the service is yet another example of how the government is working with civil society to deliver for working people

Hundreds of thousands of people diagnosed with long-term health conditions will receive extra help and support from expert charities, under a new service announced by the Prime Minister today (Thursday 17 July).

Diagnosis Connect will ensure patients are referred directly to trusted charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed – providing personalised advice, information and guidance to help them manage their condition and feel more in control. This support is designed to complement, not replace, their usual NHS care. It recognises the vital role that civil society plays in helping repair the health of the nation.

With one in four people in the UK living with two or more long-term conditions this early, tailored support is vital. Patients living with multiple health issues often face the greatest challenges and the highest risk of complications. By helping people understand and manage their conditions from day one, the new service will help reduce flare-ups, improve quality of life and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.

The service, due to be launched in 2026, will support a quarter of a million people in its first two years focusing on areas like diabetes, mental health and lung conditions. It will be scaled up to reach hundreds of thousands more over the coming years.

The initiative, developed by the Richmond Group, was announced by the Prime Minister at the Civil Society Summit at the Science Museum, where he launched a new Civil Society Covenant to build stronger partnerships between government and charities, faith organisations, philanthropists, social investors and grassroots groups to deliver real results for working people.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

Being diagnosed with a long-term condition can be overwhelming. People are often handed a leaflet or a phone number and left to find help themselves—right when they’re feeling scared, confused and unsure where to turn.

We’re changing that. Just as people with cancer or dementia are often guided to well-known charities for specialist advice and support, this new service will make sure patients with other long-term conditions are directly referred to trusted organisations from the moment they’re diagnosed.

It’s about making it far easier to give people the emotional support, practical guidance and confidence they need to manage their condition and live fuller, more independent lives. Our Plan for Change is delivering for patients and making an NHs fit for the future.

In its first stage, launching in 2026, Diagnosis Connect will focus on patients diagnosed in primary care—such as at their GP surgery. Patients will be automatically connected with specialist charities that offer helplines, information, local support groups and services tailored to their condition.

As the programme expands, a digital referral system will allow NHS teams in all healthcare settings—including hospitals—to connect patients to a broad network of voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations.

Initially, the service will focus on key areas such as diabetes, lung conditions and mental health, with further conditions added over time.

As part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to shift the health service from analogue to digital, patients will be sent a text or push notification via the NHS App with information about relevant support groups and charities should they wish to seek further help.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association and Chair of The Richmond Group of Charities said:

240 people of all ages wake up to stroke every day in the UK having lost the ability to move, speak or even swallow with lifelong repercussions for their mental health and quality of life. As the UK’s only stroke-specific support charity, we know the huge difference it makes to people affected by stroke to get information, help, and guidance easily and accessibly when they need it most.

We have recently been trialling a similar programme to ensure people affected by stroke know about our services right from the point of diagnosis. So, we’re confident that Diagnosis Connect can help transform the early stages of recovery and rehabilitation for the 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK today and their loved ones. As the Government reforms the country’s healthcare, charities, like ourselves, have real potential to be an invaluable support for those who need us.

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

We welcome today’s commitment from the Government to work in partnership to ensure support is available for people from day one. From the moment someone hears the words ‘you’ve got cancer’ lives are turned upside down and having the right support in place is vital.

Currently, there are almost 3.5 million people living with cancer across the UK and too many people face unacceptable differences in their experiences of diagnosis, treatment, and care because of who they are or where they live. This has to change. Better is possible and through our work with the government we want to ensure that everyone living with cancer gets the best care the UK has to offer.

Macmillan is here for everyone. No matter your question or your needs specially trained advisers are available on our Support Line and more ways to get support can also be found on our website.

Duleep Allirajah, Chief Executive of The Richmond Group of Charities, said:

We are delighted that the government, as part of its 10 Year Health Plan, has committed to this pioneering digitally enabled service, helping more people diagnosed with health conditions to manage through expert support from charities.

Being diagnosed with a health condition can be a time of worry, questions and fears for the future. It’s when access to the right kind of support makes all the difference. Charities provide vital guidance, understanding and support to individuals, through personalised information, helplines, access to specialists and links to others who also live with the condition.

The Richmond Group of Charities helped develop this proposal for automatic referrals to specialist charity support. We look forward to this becoming second-nature, so that all people with long-term conditions can benefit from support when they need it.

Partner comments:

Chris Larkin, Associate Director of Services at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

There are currently around one million people in the UK living with dementia. A third of those are undiagnosed, leaving them to face the devastating realities of dementia without access to the vital care, support and treatment that a diagnosis can bring.

For those who do manage to access a diagnosis, they tell us that finding the right support can often feel like trying to navigate a maze, with multiple dead ends and wrong turns.

Diagnosis Connect has the potential to hand families a map and steer them in the right direction, towards people who understand dementia, guiding them from diagnosis through to end of life.

Alzheimer’s Society’s services are a lifeline for people affected by dementia. We’re ready to work with the Government and share our knowledge from supporting people through one of the hardest times in their lives.

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

We are delighted to see Diagnosis Connect being taken up by the government, an approach Asthma + Lung UK has already championed as a game-changer for people newly diagnosed with lung conditions. As the NHS shifts its focus from moving more care out of hospital and into the community, ensuring people have access to advice and support to manage chronic health conditions is crucial. It makes absolute sense for the government to work in partnership with health charities to do this, capitalising on our vast expertise and community connections.

Respiratory illness is the leading cause of emergency hospital admissions, yet levels of basic care for lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are worryingly low.  Signposting people to organisations like Asthma + Lung UK from the moment they are diagnosed can make all the difference. We know that with the right support and information, people are better able manage their lung conditions, meaning they can stay well and out of hospital. We all have a role to play in supporting the NHS and keeping patients safe and supported. Asthma + Lung UK is committed to doing our part, together with other charities.

Dr David Chaney, Director of Services, Community and Improvement at Diabetes UK, said:

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be an overwhelming and often lonely experience. It can be difficult to know where to turn. Getting the right support from day one can make all the difference, giving people the best chance of living well with diabetes and reducing their risk of developing devastating complications in the future.

We’re delighted to see the Government harnessing the support offered by charities, through Diagnosis Connect. By connecting people to charities from the moment of diagnosis, this initiative will help embed early, compassionate support into everyone’s diabetes journey, so no-one faces a life-changing diagnosis alone.

Nick Moberly, Chief Executive at the MS Society, said:

We’re really pleased the government is supporting Diagnosis Connect. More than 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and this new service has real potential to ensure everyone gets timely information and vital support at diagnosis to help them live well with MS.

This first stage is a positive step forward in better connecting the NHS to charities. Together with the Richmond Group we look forward to developing Diagnosis Connect to help provide personalised advice, information and guidance to our communities in England.

Helen Buckingham, Chair of National Voices, said:

Being diagnosed with a new and potentially serious health condition can be an overwhelming, burdensome and sometimes frightening experience. We know from our members that providing support at the point of diagnosis is vital to ensuring that people have the skills and confidence to manage their condition, reducing the risk of deterioration.

The VCSE sector, properly funded, can play an important part in making the 10 Year vision a reality. This is just one example of the value of enabling the sector to perform their unique role in the health system; supporting the people they advocate for. We hope to see many more.

David Newbold, Director of Community at Parkinson’s UK, said:

We are pleased to see the government launch the first phase of Diagnosis Connect. This new initiative builds on the great work of many charities in supporting people as soon as they are diagnosed with a health condition.

Since 2019, we have been trialling our own pioneering service, Parkinson’s Connect, which refers newly diagnosed people to our community of support. So we believe Diagnosis Connect will supercharge our service, ensuring no one is left uncertain of where to turn when diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

We look forward to working with the DHSC and the NHS to shape and deliver this vital new programme.

Rachel Power, Chief Executive, The Patients Association said:

This is a welcome initiative that rightly recognises the vital role expert charity support plays in helping patients manage long-term conditions. Our work shows that patients living in underserved neighbourhoods often struggle to get the information they need and face barriers when communicating with healthcare professionals. Early access to trusted charities at the point of diagnosis can make a real difference.

For it to truly succeed, the referral system needs to capture the full diversity of support available, from established national charities to grassroots community organisations. Done right, this could help reduce health inequalities and be transformative for all patient outcomes.

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said:

When people are struggling with their mental health, it can be hard to know where to turn. Charities like Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK offer trusted, user-informed advice and support, built with and regularly reviewed by the people it’s designed to help. Diagnostics Connect will help ensure people get the best possible guidance when they need it most.

Our work in areas like Somerset, Sheffield and Tower Hamlets has shown the positive impact of the NHS working in partnership with charities and community groups to create smoother pathways to care. This initiative is an important step forward, strengthening the third sector’s vital role in complementing the NHS and ensuring people get the support they need.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive, Versus Arthritis said:

More than 450,000 people are diagnosed with arthritis every year, so it is essential they can access the right information, care and support swiftly.

As the UK’s leading arthritis charity, we are encouraged by the Government’s new initiative to connect people at the point of diagnosis with expert charities like Versus Arthritis.

Living life in the grip of the pain and fatigue caused by arthritis can leave people isolated and too often kickstart a downward spiralling of both mental and physical health. Early intervention and support at this crucial time will enable people to manage their condition and navigate the health system with greater confidence. We look forward to working with the Government and our partners in the Richmond Group of Charities to deliver this important new service.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 17 July 2025.

Pharmacists will benefit from better access to pharmacy services as part of 10 Year Health Plan, under new proposals set out by the government today.

• Government freeing up pharmacist time so they can treat patients more
• Qualified pharmacy staff could get expanded roles to improve patient access and allow pharmacists to focus more on frontline care
• Move part of delivery drive of the 10 Year Health Plan, moving care closer to the community

Patients will benefit from better access to pharmacy services under new proposals set out by the government today.

As part of the immediate work to start delivering the 10 Year Health Plan, the Department of Health and Social Care has published plans to modernise pharmacy supervision rules, to allow registered pharmacy technicians to take greater responsibility and enable pharmacists to focus more on frontline patient care.

The changes, which have been welcomed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and the General Pharmaceutical Council, will modernise pharmacy practice and make better use of the skills within pharmacy teams.

This will give pharmacies greater flexibility in how they deploy their staff, freeing up pharmacist time to deliver more clinical services and to help advise patients on prevention as well as sickness as part of the government’s Plan for Change while ensuring that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can work to the top of their profession.

Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

We have hit the ground running in delivering our 10 Year Health Plan, and this is another immediate and tangible change that will mean patients get better care closer to their home, while we also modernise the NHS.

Pharmacists will be able to spend more time providing clinical care, while qualified pharmacy technicians can take greater responsibility for routine tasks.

This will improve patient experience and help avoid delays in accessing medicines when the pharmacist is not available.

These are simple, common-sense changes that will help pharmacies run better, saving staff and patient time.

The draft legislation follows extensive consultation with pharmacy professionals and stakeholders. It is expected to come into effect by the end of 2025 and the bulk of the measures will have a one-year transition period to allow for the development of professional standards and guidance.

It will expand who can supervise the dispensing of medicines, empower the pharmacy workforce to deliver better care and unlock clinical expertise, so communities are served more effectively by their local pharmacy and delivering on the Plan for Change by improving care in the community and reducing pressure on the NHS.

This is another example of this government’s commitment to support the pharmacy sector – and builds on the package of recently enacted measures to dispense medicines more quickly and efficiently.

We have invested a record amount in the sector with the largest uplift in funding seen by community pharmacy for over a decade.

These further measures will help transition community pharmacy from being largely focused on dispensing medicines to becoming integral to the Neighbourhood Health Service, supporting the shift from hospital to community set out in our 10 Year Heath Plan.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 July 2025.

The review looked into the safety of the roles of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) and how they support wider health teams.

Patient safety will be strengthened across the country, as the government accepts all the recommendations of an independent review into physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).

The review chaired by Professor Gillian Leng CBE – an experienced leader in the UK healthcare system – has made 18 recommendations aimed at providing clarity to patients and improving patient safety.

Launched in November 2024, it looked into the safety of the roles of PAs and AAs and how they support wider health teams.

Professor Leng sought evidence from a range of voices including patients, staff groups, employers within the NHS, professional bodies and academics. The review’s recommendations cover recruitment and training, supervision and professional regulation.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

Patients should always know who they are being treated by and should always receive appropriate care.

Legitimate concerns about patient safety have been ignored for too long – that’s why I sought out the very best clinical advice to review physician associates and anaesthesia associates’ roles in the NHS.

I want to thank Gillian Leng, one of the UK’s most experienced healthcare leaders, for her comprehensive, thorough report.

We’re accepting all of the recommendations of the Leng review, which will provide clarity for the public and make sure we’ve got the right staff, in the right place, doing the right thing. Patients can be confident that those who treat them are qualified to do so.

Physician assistants, as they will now be known, will continue to play an important role in the NHS. They should assist doctors, but they should never be used to replace doctors.

Our Plan for Change will build on its findings and we will work to implement these findings in the interests of staff and patients alike.

Dr Claire Fuller, Co-National Medical Director (Primary Care) at NHS England, said:

We welcome the publication of this review and the clarity it provides on how these vital and valued roles can best support high-quality care for patients as part of multidisciplinary teams.

Following legitimate concerns raised, it is right this review has gathered expert insight and evidence from across the health service and internationally and we will now work with the service and government to fully consider and implement its recommendations.

Professor Gillian Leng said:

I’m pleased the government is implementing the recommendations in full.

My review provides the opportunity of a reset, but this must be the start of the conversation, not the end.

Now it’s time to focus on delivery: bringing clarity for patients, complementarity between doctors and assistant roles, collaboration across teams, focused on ensuring safe and effective high-quality care.

The Health and Social Care Secretary today confirmed he would accept all the recommendations and begin work to bring them in as quickly as possible, directing NHS England to write to systems leaders setting out the immediate actions for them to take.

Resident doctors have raised concerns about the safety and lack of clarity for PA and AA roles – and the government is listening to them.

Implementing the review’s recommendations will provide clarity for the public and – crucially – improve patient safety and quality of care. PAs and AAs still have a vital role to play in wider teams and caring for patients, with many hard-working PAs and AAs making a vital contribution across the healthcare system. These recommendations will provide certainty and options for their career development.

At the same time, clear guidance will be offered to other healthcare professionals and patients about the contributions and limits of these roles.

PAs will in future be identified as physician assistants and AAs will be renamed as physician assistants in anaesthesia, reflecting their role as supportive members of medical teams. They will also not be able to treat undiagnosed patients, except within clearly defined cases.

Permanent faculties will be established to provide professional leadership and set standards for physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia. They will also form part of a clear team structure – led by a senior clinician – where everyone is aware of their roles, responsibilities and accountability.

Doctors will receive training in line management and leadership, ensuring they can properly fulfil their supervisory roles.

Collaboration will be vital in the face of increasing NHS demand and the recommendations should serve as a reset – encouraging greater teamwork across healthcare teams. These reforms all form part of the Plan for Change’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future, and one which works for patients and staff.

Lessons learned from the review will feed into the government’s upcoming workforce plan, ensuring the NHS has the right staff in the right place at the right time.

The 10 Year Health Plan will also ensure that new and expanded roles are rolled out in a way which ensures that public, patient and professional confidence is maintained.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 July 2025.

A new pilot programme will support people with health conditions back into employment and ease pressure on doctors.

• Fifteen pioneering regions to trial groundbreaking approach to reduce GP pressure and help local people back to work
• Pilot scheme to transform how fit notes are issued
• Part of Plan for Change to grow the economy, get Britain back to work and make an NHS fit for the future

Fifteen regions will benefit from a new pilot programme to support people with health conditions back into employment, while reducing pressure on GPs in the area.

The WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund, backed by £1.5 million across 15 regions, will combat the practice of immediately writing people off with a fit note, and instead look to find other ways to help people back into work. WorkWell is expected to support up to 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions into work by spring 2026 and forms part of this government’s wider efforts to get the NHS back on its feet, reduce economic inactivity, and grow the economy by supporting more people into work and out of poverty as part of its Plan for Change.

This fresh approach addresses a critical challenge facing both patients and the NHS. Currently, of the 11 million fit notes issued electronically in primary care across England last year, 93% simply declared people ‘not fit for work’ – offering no constructive alternative or support pathway.

The new funding will enable WorkWell sites – funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) – to connect patients to local support services to provide work and health advice to more patients receiving a fit note.

Patients will receive targeted and timely support to manage their health condition while exploring realistic options for staying in or returning to work, rather than facing a dead-end ‘not fit for work’ declaration.

Interventions via the WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund could include:

• hiring work and health coaches, social prescribers or occupational therapists for GP teams to refer patients to for holistic support, help and advice, from gym memberships to career coaching
• supporting and upskilling occupational therapists or physiotherapists to issue fit notes and improve the quality of work and health advice given to a patient
• upskilling GPs and wider GP teams to improve their ability to support patients with local work and health advice

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

This pilot is a step towards transforming a broken system that’s been failing people for years.

It isn’t just about freeing up GPs to treat patients rather than fill in forms. It’s about fundamentally changing the conversation from ‘you can’t’ to ‘how can we help you?’ When someone walks into their doctor’s surgery worried about their job, they should walk out with a plan, not just a piece of paper that closes doors.

We can’t afford to keep writing people off. Every person we help back into work isn’t just transforming their own life – they’re contributing to our communities, our economy and breaking the cycle that’s been holding Britain back. This is what building an NHS fit for the future through our Plan for Change looks like.

WorkWell sites have already been exploring ways to get patients back into work. For example, June, a patient in the West Midlands, had been on sick leave following a period of poor mental and physical health suffering from anxiety, PTSD and arthritis. She had sessions with a work and health coach via her local WorkWell site, getting support to communicate her needs to her employer and seek reasonable adjustments. This allowed her to return to work with amended hours and responsibilities, avoiding the need for her to be signed off work.

Though a range of healthcare professionals can issue fit notes, 90% of fit notes issued electronically in primary care in England last year were issued by doctors – adding to GP workload pressures.

Instead of GPs spending valuable consultation time on administrative fit note processes, WorkWell sites will use this funding to explore how specialist professionals like pharmacists and occupational therapists can provide comprehensive support that benefits patients and employers, and reduces pressure on primary care services.

The initiative directly supports the commitment in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to embed employment advice within new neighbourhood health services, shifting care from hospitals to communities. This government has recruited over 1,900 extra GPs in the last year in a bid to fix the front door of the NHS.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

We know that good work is good for people’s health and good for the economy too, but the current system is holding too many people back – denying many the dignity and self-respect this work brings.

WorkWell is transforming lives by helping people stay in and get back to work, and this significant investment will help even more people unlock good jobs and boost living standards.

With 2.8 million people currently out of work due to health conditions, this pilot will take a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of poor health and poverty that holds back people’s lives and economic growth.

It is a key part of the government’s pledge to cut waiting lists – crack teams of clinicians have already been sent to areas where more people are out of work, and new community diagnostic centres are opening 12 hours a day, 7 days a week across the country. Overall waiting lists have fallen by over 260,000 since last July.

This also comes on the same day as a £100 million funding boost to Connect to Work programmes, which will help thousands of people who are out of work due to health conditions, disabilities or other reasons to find and stay in jobs.

As part of a significant package of support to reform to the broken welfare system, the government is making changes to genuinely support sick or disabled people and those with health conditions into work, amounting to £1 billion per year by the end of the decade, while the Get Britain Working white paper is overhauling Jobcentres and empowering mayors and local leaders to tackle inactivity.

Evidence from the pilot scheme will be used to inform our wider approach to work, health and skills, as this government gets Britain working through the Plan for Change, backed by an NHS fit for the future.

Background information and regions taking part

The WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund will provide a share of £1.5 million to each of the 15 WorkWell pilot sites: £100,000 per site.

The WorkWell pilot programme is expected to support up to 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions into work by spring 2026.

This innovative model brings together integrated care boards, local authorities and Jobcentre Plus to provide a single, co-ordinated gateway to work and health support services.

The regions in the pilot are:

• Birmingham and Solihull
• Black Country
• Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
• Coventry and Warwickshire
• Frimley
• Herefordshire and Worcestershire
• Greater Manchester
• Lancashire and South Cumbria
• Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• North Central London
• North West London
• South Yorkshire
• Surrey Heartlands

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 3 July 2025.

NHS App to become the complete digital front door to the NHS, where patients book appointments, manage medicines and view data.

• Prime Minister sets out how 10 Year Health Plan will bring NHS into 21st century to meet the needs of patients around the country
• Patients to make self-referrals through app, connect with a clinician, link-up wearable tech and gain free access to health apps
• Plan for Change will rebuild NHS and see ground-breaking single patient record finally in one place – viewable on app from 2028

Patients will be able to access a range of healthcare services and advice at the touch of a button, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set out today, as the government’s Plan for Change drives forward fundamental reform to the NHS to make it easier and fairer for everyone to access the care they need.

Launching the 10 Year Health Plan today (3 July 2025) – the government’s roadmap to rebuild the health service to make it fit for the future – the Prime Minister set out how the app will act as a digital front door to the health service, overhauling how people get advice, manage appointments and interact with services to make their healthcare more convenient and more personalised.

For the first time, patients will be able to book, move and cancel all their appointments on the app – ending the ‘8am scramble’ for a GP – and the app will use artificial intelligence (AI) to provide instant advice for patients who need non-urgent care, available 24/7.

Through the plan, which has been published in Parliament today, patients will have quicker, better access to the right care. They will be able to self-refer on the app to mental health talking therapies, musculoskeletal services, podiatry and audiology – freeing up GPs and new neighbourhood health centres to focus on providing direct care while dramatically slashing waiting lists for these services – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change promise to cut waiting lists.

Accessing healthcare will be quicker than ever thanks to expanded features on the app. People will be able to manage their medicines and book vaccines from their phone, connect with a clinician for a remote consultation and even leave a question for a specialist to answer without making an appointment. Patients simply being able to book an appointment digitally rather than today’s convoluted process will save the NHS £200 million over 3 years.

For parents, the new app will deliver a 21st century alternative to the ‘red book’, ensuring that their children’s medical records are available to them in their pocket, so they do not have to carry their red books to every appointment. It will also provide advice and support throughout childhood, offering guidance on weaning and healthy habits. Over time, it will record feeding times, monitor sleep, and use AI analytics to understand the best way to care for children when they are unwell.

The changes will build on the progress government has already made to increase the number of hospitals allowing patients to view appointment information on the app. Almost 12 million fewer paper letters have been sent by hospitals since July 2024. Forecasts for this year show the use of in-app notifications for planned care will prevent the need for 15.7 million SMS messages.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

For far too long, the NHS has been stuck in the past, reliant on letters, lengthy phone queues and even fax machines.

But that doesn’t match the reality of our daily lives, where everything from shopping and banking to entertainment and travel can be sorted with the touch of a button from our phones.

To rebuild our NHS, we have to make sure it reflects the society it serves. That’s why our 10 Year Health Plan will bring it into the digital age by opening up fairer and more convenient access to healthcare. Through our new app – a digital front door for your care – parents will be able to keep track of their children’s health through an online ‘red book’ fit for the 21st century, and we will put a stop to patients having to endlessly repeat their medical history thanks to a single patient record.

Our Plan for Change promised to make our NHS fit for the future and that’s what we are getting on with delivering – fixing the foundations of our health service and making sure it will be there to look after us for decades to come.

This is one major arm of the technological innovation at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan launched today, which also includes introducing the single patient record, rolling out AI scribes to take notes for clinicians, using generative AI to create the first draft of care plans, and introducing single sign-on for NHS software.

The government’s 10 Year Health Plan sets out the fundamental reforms we will deliver to address the challenges facing the health service in the face of inherited underinvestment and neglect and the evolving needs of a modern society.

Speaking at the launch of the plan today, the PM set out how the plan will deliver 3 key shifts to make the NHS fit for the future:

• hospital to community
• analogue to digital
• sickness to prevention

Through fundamental reforms to rewire the NHS around these shifts, the plan will deliver the government’s pledge to cut waiting lists, improve healthcare for everyone wherever they live, and ensure the NHS is equipped to look after us for decades to come.

This historic transformation will fundamentally change the future of healthcare and it will be underpinned by a new single patient record. This will finally bring together all of a patient’s medical records into one place, so patients do not have to repeat their medical history to each clinician they see. The single patient record will make sure patients get seamless care no matter who they are being treated by in the NHS.

Two-thirds of outpatient appointments – which currently cost in total £14 billion a year – will be replaced by automated information, digital advice, direct input from specialists and patient-initiated follow-ups through the NHS App.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

The NHS App will become a ‘doctor in your pocket’, bringing our health service into the 21st century.

Patients who can afford to pay for private healthcare can get instant advice, remote consultations with a doctor, and choose where and when their appointments will be. Our reforms will bring those services to every patient, regardless of their ability to pay.

The 10 Year Health Plan will keep every patient fully informed of their healthcare and make using the NHS as easy and convenient as doing your banking or shopping online. It will deliver a fundamental shift in the way people access their care – from analogue to digital.

A new single patient record will bring an end to the frustration of repeating your medical history to different doctors. Instead, health and care professionals will have your record in one handy place, so they can give you the best possible care.

Through our Plan for Change, this government is shifting care to digital and delivering an NHS which is truly fit for the future.

The government will make the single patient record possible through new legislation that places a duty on every health and care provider to make the information they record about a patient available in the single patient record.

We will also legislate to give patients access to their record by default. From 2028, patients will be able to view it securely on the NHS App. Over time, that data will include not only medical records, but a personalised account of health risk, drawing from lifestyle, demographic and genomic data – helping catch problems early before they develop, and prevent people from poor health.

The single patient record is designed as Critical National Infrastructure. This means it will be built and maintained to meet the highest levels of security, equivalent to those used for the UK’s most vital systems, such as energy and transport networks. Health and care professionals treating and caring for a patient will have secure access to their record – patients can control who else they share it with and will have a robust audit trail of who has accessed their record.

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive at NHS England, said:

The NHS App will be at the heart of the tech transformation we’re planning for the NHS to give people much more ownership of their healthcare – all from wherever they are at the tap of a screen.

Millions of us already have the app downloaded on our phones and the improvements we’re introducing as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, from booking appointments and speaking to clinicians online to seeing all your medical records in one place, will make the NHS App the digital front door to the NHS.

A My Health tool will include real-time data from wearables, biometric sensors or smart devices and will connect to relevant NHS data too – whether that is the results of recent tests at home or in a neighbourhood health centre. Wearables will be able to feed vital data into the app such as step count, heart rate and sleep quality, to provide tailored, personal health advice. The single patient record will have robust security controls.

And a new My NHS GP tool will harness AI to direct people to the most appropriate and timely care they need. In some cases, it will advise on self-care – and help direct patients to well-evidenced consumer healthcare products. In others, it might direct to a community pharmacy, a neighbourhood health centre or to emergency care.

Over the course of the plan, the features set to be developed through the NHS App will include:

• My NHS GP – book a remote or face-to-face appointment and receive personalised health advice using a new AI tool
• My Specialist – self-refer when clinically appropriate and leave a question for a specialist to answer
• My Consult – connect with a clinician for a remote consultation
• My Medicines – manage repeat prescriptions for delivery or collection and receive reminders
• My Care – book and manage appointments, enrol in a clinical trial and access the single patient record
• My Companion – get information about a health condition or procedure and ask AI or a clinician a question
• My Choices – find the nearest pharmacy, the best providers and leave feedback on services
• My Vaccines – see when vaccines are up to date and book appointments to get them organised, and find travel vaccine information
• My Health – bring data like blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels together, and include real-time data from wearables or smart devices
• My Children – a digitised ‘red book’, where parents can get advice and support for parents throughout childhood
• My Carer – securely prove you are a carer, book appointments and talk to your loved one’s care team

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

It’s clear that technology is set to transform many aspects of our lives for the better over the next decade, including the delivery of healthcare and how we interact with the NHS.

The potential of the NHS App, for example, is truly exciting, but we must also ensure that no one is left behind, including the many millions of older people who are not online and who often want and need to use more traditional means of communication, such as telephone and face to face.

The government’s commitment to a digitally inclusive approach is really important in building public trust. It is also essential for the NHS’s promise of being equally accessible to continue to hold true in our increasingly digital world. The voluntary sector can certainly help by supporting people who are not digital natives and at Age UK we look forward to playing our part in this way.

Julian David, CEO of techUK, said:

We welcome today’s announcement as a landmark moment in the digital transformation of the NHS. The enhanced NHS App marks a bold step forward in putting citizens at the centre of their care, empowering patients with the same ease, accessibility and control we expect from modern digital services.

Ongoing and meaningful engagement with the tech sector will be essential to delivering this transformation at scale. techUK will continue to work with government, NHS bodies and our members to ensure this transformation is inclusive, secure and future-ready.

Boosting the app will not only benefit those managing their healthcare digitally but will also free up capacity in traditional healthcare routes and provide more access to care and appointments – freeing up phone lines so calls are answered on time and freeing up GPs’ capacity to offer face-to-face appointments.

The government will aim to empower and upskill everyone to feel confident using the NHS App so that they can benefit from the additional access to services and the greater convenience the app will bring.

The government will continue a partnership with libraries and other community organisations to set people up on the app, with ‘show and tells’ to teach them how to use it and reap the benefits – this will be alongside ongoing work across government to improve access to technology and boost confidence among groups that have previously struggled.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:

The foundations for a healthy life are laid in childhood, so an ambition of creating the healthiest generation of children yet is an important step towards tackling the deep inequalities in their healthcare.

I have long called for a child’s ‘red book’ to be digitised, so this is a really welcome move. Taken with plans currently going through Parliament to develop a unique childhood identifier, will vastly improve how we protect and care for the most vulnerable children, with fewer in danger of falling through gaps in services.

Children tell me that when they need additional support, they want it in one place, so creating neighbourhood services that bring different professionals under one roof will make a practical difference in their lives, as will increasing access to GPs and dentists.

Andrew Davies, Executive Director of Digital Health, Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), said:

This transformation of the NHS App is an important milestone for healthcare delivery. A single, secure platform to access a range of services, digital tools and therapeutics, and connect devices, will enable patients to more effectively engage with their care.

This plan showcases how HealthTech can drive a more efficient, personalised and accessible NHS, which in turn will free up time for clinicians to focus on care where it is needed most. Our members look forward to working with the NHS and government to ensure these digital tools are implemented successfully and deliver meaningful benefits for patients across the country.

Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, said:

We welcome the government’s ambition to expand the NHS App as a central part of the 10 Year Health Plan. It could deliver the fundamental change patients have asked for in their interactions with the NHS, including the ability to manage their appointments, self-refer to vital services and, in 3 years’ time, be able to view their health records through the single patient record.

Our work with patients shows that those using the app often feel more in control and more satisfied with their care. But with nearly 1 in 4 still facing barriers to digital access, we must ensure that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of inclusion. If the NHS App is to become the digital front door, there must always be a real-world, accessible front door as well, with face-to-face or telephone options in place for those who need or want them. True progress means making the system work for everyone.

Professor Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said:

We need a more focused and systematic approach to tackling health inequalities and addressing unacceptable variation in healthcare amongst our communities. A key enabler for this endeavour is digital tools. The transformation of the NHS App has the potential to lead to a more efficient, agile and technologically enabled NHS – an NHS that will deliver care quicker and closer to where people live. The app will empower people and transform the way the public receives healthcare and engages with NHS services. The Observatory will help ensure this shift, in the way healthcare is provided, benefits all communities equitable.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:

Technology is moving at a blistering pace and, quite simply, the NHS has failed to keep up. So the increased emphasis on the app and other digital services is welcome, especially where it can help the NHS meet expectations that have become commonplace in other sectors.

Critically, the plan recognises there will always be patients with more complex needs and commits to using the resource freed up by digital innovations to continue offering more traditional forms of access to those who need it.

Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network, said:

It is right that the 10 Year Health Plan will establish the digital and data foundations of the NHS to realise the potential of health innovation in empowering patients, better supporting the NHS workforce and driving economic growth in every community.

The Health Innovation welcomes the focus on AI, expansion of the NHS App and the commitment to a single patient record, all of which will involve innovation partnerships to deliver change to local services, that will have a national impact.

The 15 health innovation networks across England look ahead to operationalising these plans and working with our partners to find, test and implement at scale innovations that improve patient outcomes, increase NHS productivity and reduce waiting lists, while delivering economic growth. If we get this right we will not only greatly increase outcomes and satisfaction for our patients, but we will also boost our essential life sciences sector and, as our Defining the Size of the Health Innovation Prize report found, add up to £278 billion a year to the UK economy.