12 Essential Insights from Labour’s Ambitious 10-Year NHS Reform Plan

Labour’s 10-year vision for the National Health Service promises a transformative shift towards more accessible, efficient, and technology-driven healthcare. This ambitious strategy aims to decentralise care from hospitals, improve patient experiences through digital tools, and focus more on preventing illness rather than simply treating it.

Outlined below are the 12 key components of the plan:

1. A “Doctor” in Your Pocket: NHS App Transformation

The NHS app is set to become a central hub for patient care. Under the new plan, a feature called “My NHS GP” will use artificial intelligence to assess symptoms, ask guided questions, and offer reliable medical guidance. This upgrade is expected to enhance self-diagnosis and reduce unnecessary appointments.

Through the app, patients will be able to:

• Book face-to-face or virtual appointments.
• Manage prescriptions.
• Enrol in clinical trials.
• Check vaccination status.
• Secure urgent care without enduring long A&E waits.

Ending the traditional “8am GP appointment scramble” is projected to save the NHS around £200 million over three years.

2. Launch of Patient League Tables

By summer, patients will gain more control over their care with the “My Choices” feature. This tool will publish simplified league tables showing:

• Waiting times
• Patient satisfaction scores
• Quality ratings of healthcare professionals and clinics

A faster complaints process will also be implemented to resolve issues more efficiently.

3. Unified Digital Patient Records

A new legal framework will mandate the creation of a single digital patient record accessible by both healthcare providers and patients through the NHS app by 2028. This integrated system will improve coordination between providers and enhance patient autonomy.

Pharmacies will be entrusted with managing long-term conditions, seamlessly connected to the unified records.

4. Self-Referrals for Common Conditions

To reduce the burden on GPs, patients will soon be able to self-refer for:

• Musculoskeletal issues
• Audiology (hearing tests)
• Podiatry
• Mental health services

This change is expected to significantly shorten waiting lists and make outpatient services more efficient.

5. Digital Red Book for Child Development

The iconic red book for babies and children will be digitised. Parents will be able to access their child’s health records and receive:

• Weaning advice
• Healthy habit tips
• Tools for tracking feeding, sleeping, and health symptoms

6. AI, Genomics and Wearables for a Smarter NHS

A technological leap is planned with the implementation of:

• AI scribes to automate admin tasks
• Genomic sequencing for all newborns
• Free wearable health devices in deprived areas
• Expansion of surgical robots from 2026

By 2035, wearables are expected to become standard in preventive and chronic care treatment plans.

7. One Million Personal Health Budgets by 2030

Currently, 180,000 people use personal health budgets. This number will be expanded to 1 million by 2030. These budgets allow patients to fund:

• Physiotherapy
• Mobility aids
• Personalised care options

By 2035, all eligible individuals will have access to these funds, empowering more choice in healthcare.

8. Community Hubs as Integrated Care Centres

Labour will establish 250-300 community health hubs across England, with 50 operational by 2029. Each will serve as a “one-stop shop” staffed by:

• GPs
• Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Care and mental health workers

Operating at least 12 hours daily for six days a week, these hubs aim to decentralise care and reduce pressure on hospitals.

9. Ending Corridor Care and Restoring Treatment Targets

Labour pledges to eliminate the practice of “corridor care” and reinstate the target for 92% of patients to begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral. This move is intended to restore dignity and reliability in NHS services.

A £120 million investment will create approximately 85 mental health-specific emergency departments. These are designed to reduce reliance on general A&E units and offer more appropriate settings for mental health crises. Expanded support will also be provided in schools.

11. Weight Loss Jabs and Anti-Obesity Initiatives

Labour plans to:

• Expand access to effective weight-loss injections
• Restrict junk food ads aimed at children
• Ban energy drinks for under-16s
• Introduce mandatory nutritional labelling on alcohol
• Promote the low and no-alcohol beverage industry

A “health rewards” scheme will also encourage healthier lifestyles.

12. Training and Retaining More NHS Staff

Workforce expansion will include:

• 2,000 new nursing apprenticeships
• 1,000 new medical specialty training posts
• More UK medical school placements
• Increased training for GPs and nurse consultants

Overseas recruitment will be capped at 10% by 2035. New rules will also require UK-trained dentists to commit three years to NHS service.