What Is the NHS 10-Year Plan?

What Is the NHS 10-Year Plan?

The NHS 10-Year Plan is a long-term strategy for how the NHS in England will improve health and care over the next decade.
It’s been created to make sure the NHS can continue to provide high-quality care for everyone — even as our population grows and people live longer with more complex health needs.

This isn’t about replacing the services we already have. It’s about making them work better together, improving access, and helping people stay healthy for as long as possible.

Key Aims of the Plan

1. Helping People Stay Healthy

The NHS wants to focus more on prevention — stopping illness before it starts.
That means more support to:

• Stop smoking

• Eat well and stay active

• Cut down on alcohol and tackle obesity

• Access screening and early detection for common conditions

The goal is to keep people well for longer, not just treat them when they’re unwell.

2. Improving Care in the Community

More care will be delivered close to home, so people don’t always need to go to hospital.
GP teams, community nurses, pharmacists and other services will work more closely together to spot problems early, offer the right support, and avoid unnecessary admissions.

3. Better Mental Health Support

Mental health will be given the same level of importance as physical health.
This includes:

• More services for children, young people, and new parents

• Easier access to crisis support

• A wider range of talking therapies (like CBT) for adults

The aim is to make help easier to find, faster to access, and better joined up.

4. Using Technology to Improve Care

The NHS will continue to make it easier to access care digitally — whether that’s booking an appointment online, having a video consultation, or using electronic prescriptions.
Linked health records will also mean your information travels with you, so every part of your care team has the details they need.

5. Faster Diagnosis and Treatment

Catching illnesses early saves lives.
The plan includes faster diagnosis and treatment for conditions like cancer and heart disease, along with shorter waiting times for key procedures.

6. Supporting NHS Staff

The NHS can only succeed if its staff are supported.
The plan focuses on better training, improved wellbeing, and ensuring that everyone — from clinicians to reception teams — feels valued and able to provide the best possible care.

7. Better Care for Long-Term Conditions

People living with ongoing health issues such as diabetes, asthma, COPD or heart disease will see more personalised care plans, regular reviews, and easier access to advice and monitoring — helping them stay well and independent.

What This Means for You

• More joined-up care: your GP, hospital, and community teams will share information to make your care smoother.

• Easier access: more ways to get help — online, by phone, or in person.

• Better prevention: more support to live a healthy lifestyle and catch problems early.

• Stronger mental health support: quicker access to local services and crisis help when needed.

In Summary

The NHS 10-Year Plan is about making healthcare more personal, preventative, and accessible — helping people live longer, healthier lives and ensuring the NHS remains strong for future generations.