The NHS Fit for the Future 10-Year Health Plan, published on 3 July 2025, sets out a transformative vision for the future of healthcare in England. It focuses on three core objectives:
- Moving care from hospitals to community settings
- Transitioning services from analogue to digital
- Shifting the emphasis from sickness to prevention
These changes will reshape commissioning, delivery, and governance across the NHS. From Neighbourhood Health Centres to Single Neighbourhood Providers (SNPs) and multi-provider commissioning models, the impact will be felt across general practice, NHS trusts, and commissioning bodies.
Want to know what the NHS 10-Year Plan means for your organisation?
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What the 10-Year Plan means for general practice and PCNs
Key Points:
- Contracting changes: SNPs (Single Neighbourhood Providers) may replace traditional GMS/PMS contracts for populations of around 50,000. This could fundamentally alter partnership models and income streams.
- Federation opportunities: PCNs and federations may lead subcontracting arrangements, offering revenue stability and influence in neighbourhood-level service delivery.
- Premises development: The Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme aims to create 50 Neighbourhood Health Centres by 2029 and up to 300 by 2035, prioritising deprived areas. This could involve refurbishments, repurposing existing estate, or new builds, with potential use of PPP models.
- Digital transformation: Mandatory compliance with the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will require practices to review IT contracts, ensure interoperability, and prepare for a Single Patient Record system.
- Governance implications: Practices may need to consider incorporation, partnership deed revisions, and risk management strategies as neighbourhood models evolve.
Resources
Webinars
- The NHS 10-Year Plan: what it means to general practice and PCNs
- The NHS 10-Year Plan: What it means for GP Federations
Articles
- NHS Standard Contracts and Multi-Neighbourhood Providers
- NHS 10-year plan FAQs
- Are traditional GP partnerships at risk?
- PCNs and GP Federations – what are their roles within the new neighbourhoods?
- What are Neighbourhood Health Centres and will the Plan see investment in GP premises?
- Implementing neighbourhoods
How we can help
- Legal advice on SNP/MNP formation
- Governance and partnership deed reviews
- Strategic premises planning and business case development
What the 10-Year Plan means for NHS Trusts and Provider Organisations
Key Points:
- New provider models: MNPs will operate at scale (250,000+ population) and may align with ICB redesigns. Trusts will need to assess readiness for these new contracting vehicles.
- ICB clustering: The Plan anticipates ‘clustering’ of ICBs to streamline commissioning. This could impact governance structures and collaboration agreements.
- Digital compliance: The Data (Use and Access) Act introduces mandatory standards for IT suppliers and providers, supporting AI, genomics, and interoperability. Trusts must review contracts and ensure compliance.
- Governance restructuring: Board composition, voting rights, and legal responsibilities will need review as organisations merge or collaborate under neighbourhood models.
- Risk management: Transitional planning for staff, contracts, and service pathways will be critical to avoid disruption during restructuring.
Resources
- Article: The Mental Health Act 2025 & the NHS 10 Year Plan
- Article: What lies ahead for Foundation Trusts?
- Article: The role of NHS providers in the NHS
- Article: Continuing Healthcare and the NHS 10 year plan
How we can help
- Board composition and governance advice
- Risk management and transitional planning
- IT contract reviews and compliance support
What the 10-Year Plan means for commissioners and ICBs
Key points
- Provider Selection Regime (PSR): Commissioners must prepare for new procurement processes under PSR, which will govern how SNPs and MNPs are contracted.
- Multi-provider commissioning: The Plan introduces commissioning models that involve multiple providers working collaboratively, requiring new governance and accountability frameworks.
- Data and digital standards: Compliance with the Data (Use and Access) Act will be essential for interoperability and patient safety. Commissioners will need to enforce these standards across providers.
- Neighbourhood Health Centres: Planning and funding for premises development will require coordination with providers and local authorities, including consideration of PPP models.
- Strategic oversight: Commissioners will play a key role in ensuring governance, risk management, and equitable resource allocation across neighbourhoods.
Resources
- Article: The role of Integrated Care Boards in the NHS
- Article: ‘Clustering’ of ICBs – what could this look like?
- Article: Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and the NHS 10-Year Plan
How we can help
- Procurement readiness assessments
- Contracting and governance advice
- Digital transformation strategy and compliance
Contact us
We are already working with clients across the NHS and wider health and care sector to help them understand and respond to the Plan’s proposals. Whether you’re a general practice, PCN, GP federation, provider trust, or commissioning body, we can help you identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and position your organisation for long-term success.