The Patients Association comments on early details of the government's 10 Year Health Plan

Published 3rd July 2025 

Commenting on the early details of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association said: 

“For too long, the NHS has made decision about patients, not in partnership with them. The 10 Year Health Plan signals a turning point but the proof will be in how patients shape its delivery. 

“If this plan is realised, we’ll be entering an era where patients are genuinely at the centre of decisions about their own care with meaningful choice and personalised support based on equity and equality. 

“But the plan alone won’t change lives. Turning this vision into reality starts now, and it must embed a culture of listening to patients, where they are involved at every stage, not sidelined or treated as an afterthought. 

“We need clear, concrete commitments on how Bevan’s vision of a ‘public megaphone’ will work in practice: how patient voices will be actively heard, valued, and acted upon throughout implementation. The VCSE sector must also be engaged effectively and consistently in order to reach the most marginalised patients and communities in our society. 

“The delivery of this plan must commit to consistent patient involvement, ensuring this new era truly belongs to those it is designed to serve.” 

Commenting on the government's plans to transform the NHS App, Rachel Power 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 three 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 one in four 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.” 

Commenting on the government's announcement on a Neighbourhood Health Service, Rachel Power said: 

“We welcome this ambitious transformation set out in the 10 Year Health Plan that delivers on what we called for: integrated, accessible care that is centred on patients’ real lives. Having new neighbourhood health centres open 12 hours a day, six days a week with multidisciplinary teams and clinical and support services under one roof addresses the reality that health challenges don't exist in isolation. 

“We're pleased to see the commitment to training thousands more GPs and look forward to a sustainable workforce strategy to support the delivery of these expanded services, along with clarity on how quickly these centres will be rolled out. We look forward to working with the government to ensure genuine patient partnership underpins the design and delivery of these services, so they truly reflect what patients need in their local communities." 

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