Private sector suppliers in the UK are geared up for prospects in alignment with the 10-year plan for the NHS, ready to take the lead.
The National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom has unveiled its ambitious 10-Year Health Plan, published on 3rd July 2025. This comprehensive strategy aims to shape the future of healthcare in the UK, focusing on digital transformation, AI, and patient-centric approaches.
One of the key objectives of the plan is to create a single patient record (SPR) accessible via the NHS App. This move is expected to revolutionise the way patient data is managed, making it more accessible and empowering patients to view and control their own health information by 2028.
The NHS's digital ambitions extend beyond data management. The organisation aims to become the world's leading AI-enabled health system by 2035. Companies like DeepMind are playing a significant role in this endeavour, developing AI technology to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
The digital transformation also includes a focus on streamlining procurement. The NHS aims to make it easier for good solutions to be procured at a good price and scaled nationwide. To achieve this, the organisation is introducing national procurements, simplified procurements in new regional health zones, and value-based procurement guidance that prioritises best value and outcomes over lowest cost.
The plan also addresses the issue of clinical trials, committing to reducing setup times from the current 250 days to 150 days. This reduction is expected to accelerate medical research and innovation.
The UK government has acknowledged the need for reform in clinical trials, and new regulations have been signed into law. These regulations, which take full effect from April 2026, are designed to improve the efficiency and transparency of clinical trials.
The NHS 10-Year Health Plan places a significant emphasis on collaboration and investment with the private sector. However, it also emphasises the importance of patient control over their social security data. The plan includes a new social value playbook, encouraging NHS buyers to consider social value at each stage of the procurement or commissioning lifecycle.
The social value playbook also emphasises the need for proportional and relevant questions on social value, the inclusion of modern slavery as a core requirement, and the importance of key performance indicators on social value. Furthermore, social value criteria must carry a 10% weighting in procurement decisions, and suppliers that demonstrate superior responses on social value will benefit.
This comprehensive plan, set to inform policy decisions across UK national healthcare for years to come, represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of the NHS. It offers unique opportunities for private sector suppliers, particularly those interested in health data and AI, while ensuring a fair deal for the NHS and maintaining patient control over their social security data.
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