Wider Group key comms - June 2025

Welcome and introductions

Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth chaired the meeting. 
 

10-Year Health Plan (10YHP) – Sally Warren, DHSC

The plan, due to be published shortly, is in response to recommendations raised in the Darzi Report and will focus on three main shifts: hospital to community; treatment to prevention; and analogue to digital. The wide-ranging consultation process has resulted in a strategy which will reflect the spending review 2025 and will emphasise three themes:

• empowering patients as partners in their care
• innovation as standard
• reducing inequalities and improving access to care.

The 10YHP will be ambitious and aims to abolish the one-size-fits-all approach of the past. The SPF will work in partnership on its interpretation and implications for the workforce.
 

10-Year Workforce Plan – Jo Lenaghan, NHS England and Gavin Larner, DHSC

Following publication of the 10YHP, there will be engagement with stakeholders to shape the 10-year Workforce Plan, with publication likely in the autumn. It will replace the Long Term Workforce Plan and include four main themes:

• strong relational leadership
• education and training to support the three shifts in the 10YHP
• staff experience
• the NHS as an anchor institution for growth. 

The SPF will embrace opportunities for partnership working during the engagement process and welcomes the strategic approach to planning and implementation.
 

System transformation – Miranda Carter, NHS England

NHS England invited the 42 ICBs to submit their transformation plans by the end of May, based on the criteria in the model ICB blueprint. This aligns with the government’s aim to reduce operating costs in ICBs by 50 per cent and reduce the NHS deficit. 

The plans are now under review with the expectation that the total number of ICBs reduces, with mergers taking place in some areas.

NHS England has been working on a model region, due to be published in July. This will link to the model ICB work. Consultations with stakeholders are due to take place in July and August prior to the transfer of certain ICB functions to providers and regions.  

Those functions requiring legislative change are unlikely to be transferred until next year and will be driven by legislative process.

Trade unions acknowledged the need to reduce duplication but emphasised the impact these changes are having on staff morale and members’ concerns over job security and lack of role availability in other organisations. 

Miranda Carter recognised the impact on staff and the need to work together to support the workforce during this period.
 

Tackling and reducing violence: recommendations – Alan Lofthouse, UNISON

The Secretary of State for Health and Care Wes Streeting had agreed the recommendations from the SPF report on tackling and reducing violence experienced by staff in the NHS. This was part of the non-pay commitments resulting from the Agenda for Change pay deal agreed in 2023.

Trade unions, NHS Employers, NHS England and DHSC are working together to agree an approach on taking forward the recommendations.

The next Wider Group meeting will be held on 17 September 2025.