Government urges UK public to ‘help fix the NHS’

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Someone using the NHS app on their iPhone / Credit: NHS Digital

The Health Secretary is calling on the nation to help shape the Government’s plans to overhaul the NHS in the future.

Described as being “the biggest national conversation” about the future of the NHS since its birth all the way back in July 1948, and in a bid to form the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, the entire country has today (21 October) been called upon to share their experiences of the nation’s health service – with members of the public, as well as NHS staff and experts, invited to have their say.

Everyone is being urged to give their views and ideas for “fixing the NHS” via an online platform that’ll be live until the start of next year, as well as through the NHS App.  

In order for the Government to formulate its 10 Year Health Plan – which is set to be published in spring 2025 – the so-called public engagement exercise will be underlined by three ‘big shifts’ in healthcare.

These are hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

But what do each of these ‘big shifts’ mean? Well, first up, the Government says it wants to deliver plans for new neighbourhood health centres that are closer to homes and communities, so that patients can see GPs, district nurses, care workers, physiotherapists, mental health specialists, and more all under the same roof. 

The transforming of the NHS from analogue to digital shift will put patients in control of their own medical history by bringing together a single patient record that summarises patient health information, test results, and letters, all in one place through the NHS App.

Finally, by moving from sickness to prevention, the Government says it wants to shorten the amount of time people spend in-ill health, as well as prevent illnesses before they happen.

The Government is urging the UK public to ‘help fix the NHS’ / Credit: rawpixel

“My mum worked for the NHS, my sister worked for the NHS, and my wife still works for the NHS, so I know first-hand how difficult it has been for staff, and for patients battling against a broken system for over a decade,” explained Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the public exercise formally launches today.

“But it’s time to roll up our sleeves and fix it.

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“We have a huge opportunity to put the NHS back on its feet, so let’s be the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, and made it fit for the future.”

You can find out more and have your say on the future of the NHS here.

Featured Image – NHS Digital