Duncan Cordy

Swiftly navigating the NHS 10 year plan……

 

Fit for the Future, the NHS 10-year plan was published at the beginning of July.  The plan describes a shift to health prevention, neighbourhood health systems, digitalisation, structural / governance developments……..and more.

 

NAVCA’s hot off the press reaction in relation to the voluntary sector notes that the VCS is not well referenced in health prevention and raises other concerns including some related to technological developments. For example, My Care (one function of a new NHS app in development) will signpost more frequently to non-NHS providers, including VCS organisations, which risks building more pressure on the sector. The ambitious new app aims to be a full front door to the entire NHS by 2028.

 

Also mentioned are the implications of results-oriented payment and the impact of strategic commissioning across what could be huge Integrated Health System footprints as the latest cuts and efficiencies drive mergers. This is already an area being flagged up by the North Central London (NCL) VCSE Alliance to the Integrated Care Board in relation to the NCL voluntary sector strategy. The NAVCA update provides some good pointers on what to explore further and can be found here: https://aidemail.co.uk/campaigns/navca/08A30JugCBQevnKIkiPe0FN38

 

The full NHS document is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6866387fe6557c544c74db7a/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england.pdf

 

There are clear sections so if your organisation is delivering support and services to residents, sections 2, 3 and 4 are useful reading. There is also something of a health / social justice element running through the plan recognising that the NHS (and I’d add VCS providers addressing social determinants of health) can’t do it all. Big picture stuff that requires national / government interventions – addressing air pollution, ultra processed foods, housing insecurity etc etc – all play a part, so the campaigning VCS also has an important role in health creation.

 

For the NHS 10 year plan Executive Summary use this link:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/686639056569be0acf74db89/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england-executive-summary.pdf

 

The summary is 11 pages long with an overview of each section of the plan making it easier to find where to locate what interests you in the main document.

 

How the plan ambitions are interpreted into action in Camden, and any changes to the North Central London system will start to emerge soon. VAC will update on developments as they start to happen.