Author: joe.metcalf

• Prime Minister launches government’s 10 Year Health Plan to bring the NHS closer to home.
• Neighbourhood Health Services to be rolled out across the country, bringing diagnostics, mental health, post-op, rehab, and nursing to people’s doorsteps.
• Neighbourhood health centres will house services under one roof, open at evenings and weekends.
• Plan for Change will rebuild the NHS to train thousands more family doctors, transform hospital outpatient appointments, and provide personalised care plans for complex needs.

Millions of patients will be treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of health professionals, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will set out today, as the Government’s Plan for Change delivers a brand-new era for the NHS and delivers one of the most seismic shifts in care in the history of the health service.

The launch of a Neighbourhood Health Service will see pioneering teams, some based entirely under one roof, set up in local communities across the country, to dramatically improve access to the NHS. As part of the Government’s aim to shift care out of hospitals and into the community, they will free up overstrained hospitals from perpetual firefighting so they can focus on delivering only the best, most cutting-edge, and personalised care.

These neighbourhood health centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services right on people’s doorsteps – stopping them from having to make lengthy trip to hospitals. Neighbourhood teams will include staff like nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, palliative care staff, and paramedics. Community health workers and volunteers will play a pivotal role in these teams, and local areas will be encouraged to trial innovative schemes like community outreach door-to-door – to detect early signs of illness and reduce pressure on GPs and A&E.

Launching the government’s 10 Year Health Plan today, the Prime Minister will set out how moving care from hospitals to the community is one of the three key shifts required to tackle the inherited challenges and neglect of the NHS, make sure it is equipped to look after a modern society, and ensure people feel the change and improvements in healthcare that they voted for.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“The NHS should be there for everyone, whenever they need it.

“But we inherited a health system in crisis, addicted to a sticking plaster approach, and unable to face up to the challenges we face now, let alone in the future.

“That ends now. Because it’s reform or die. Our 10 Year Health Plan will fundamentally rewire and future-proof our NHS so that it puts care on people’s doorsteps, harnesses game-changing tech and prevents illness in the first place.

“That means giving everyone access to GPs, nurses, and wider support all under one roof in their neighbourhood – rebalancing our health system so that it fits around patients’ lives, not the other way round.

“This is not an overnight fix, but our Plan for Change is already turning the tide on years of decline with over four million extra appointments, 1,900 more GPs and waiting lists at their lowest level for two years.

“But there’s more to come. This government is giving patients easier, quicker and more convenient care, wherever they live.”

The plan follows Lord Darzi’s diagnosis of the challenges facing the NHS last year where he assessed it was in a ‘critical condition’ as a result of deep rooted issues including low productivity, poor staff morale, a failure to keep up with new technology, rising waiting times, and a deterioration in the health of the nation.

The PM will set out how the plan will deliver three key shifts to get the NHS back on its feet: hospital to community; analogue to digital; and sickness to prevention. Built around these three principles, the reforms within the plan will deliver the government’s promise to stop rising waiting lists, deliver more convenient care, and tackle inequalities across the country.

New health centres will house the neighbourhood teams, which will eventually be open 12 hours a day, six days a week within local communities. They will not only bring historically hospital-based services into the community – diagnostics, post-operative care, and rehab – but will also offer services like debt advice, employment support and stop smoking or weight management, all of which will help tackle issues which we know affect people’s health.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

“Our 10 Year Health Plan will turn the NHS on its head, delivering one of the most fundamental changes in the way we receive our healthcare in history.

“By shifting from hospital to community, we will finally bring down devastating hospital waiting lists and stop patients going from pillar to post to get treated.

“This Government’s Plan for Change is creating an NHS truly fit for the future, keeping patients healthy and out of hospital, with care closer to home and in the home.”

The status quo of ‘hospital by default’ will end, with a new preventative principle that care should happen as locally as it can: digital-by-default, in a patient’s home where possible, in a neighbourhood health centre when needed, in a hospital if necessary. This approach will make access to healthcare more convenient for patients and easier to fit around their day to day lives, rather than disrupting people’s work and personal lives.

Thousands more GPs will be trained under the 10 Year Health Plan, as the Government lays the groundwork to bring back the family doctor, end the 8am scramble and make it easier to see your GP when you need to instead of having to turn to A&E.

The government inherited an analogue NHS, reliant on paper and fax machines and out of step with modern technology. The government’s plan will bring it into the digital age, making sure staff benefit from the advantages and efficiencies available from new technology. This includes rolling out groundbreaking new tools over the next two years to support GPs. AI scribes will end the need for clinical notetaking, letter drafting, and manual data entry to free up clinicians’ time to focus on treating patients. Saving just 90 seconds on each GP appointment can save the same time as adding 2,000 more doctors into general practice.

The Government will also use digital telephony so all phone calls to GP practices are answered quickly. For those who need it, they will get a digital or telephone consultation the same day they request it.

As it stands, some practices are struggling to keep up with an ageing population and 21^st century health needs. New contracts will be introduced which encourage and allow practices to cover a wider geographical area. It means smaller practices in the catchment area will get more support to ensure the right access is in place so that everyone can access their GP when they need to.

Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive, NHS England said:

“The Neighbourhood Health Service is a huge opportunity for us to transform how we deliver care over the next decade – starting right on people’s doorsteps.

“By bringing together a full range of clinicians as one team, we can deliver care that’s more accessible, convenient and better for patients, as well as reducing pressures on hospitals.”

The plan will also deliver on the government’s promise to tackle the current lottery of access to dentists. Dental care professionals will work as part of neighbourhood teams, where Dental therapists could undertake check-ups, treatment, and referrals, while dental nurses could give education and advice to parents or work with schools and community groups. The work therapists cannot do would be safely directed to dentists.

Under the plan, it will also be a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period, intended to be 3 years.

Following the government’s work already to roll out supervised toothbrushing for kids, the plan will also improve access to dental care for children, making better use of the wider dental workforce, especially dental therapists, including through a new approach to upskilling professionals to work at the top of their clinical potential beginning in 2026 to 2027. This includes proposals to allow dental nurses to administer fluoride varnish for children in between check-ups, and the greater use of fissure sealants for children – covering back teeth with thin plastic coating to keep germs and food particles out the grooves.

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“This is a vital step towards a more preventative, community-based NHS. Bringing care closer to people’s homes through blended neighbourhood health teams recognises the complex and interconnected challenges many patients face, and it is the right direction for both improving outcomes and alleviating pressure on hospitals.   

“In many areas of the country, general practices working at scale through primary care networks and GP Federations, are already partnering alongside other organisations to deliver joined up care. It will be important to build on these positive successes.  

“Delivering on this ambition will require sustained investment in digital and estates, support for the NHS’s workforce, and a commitment to decentralise national control by empowering local leaders to do what is best for their populations. On behalf of our members, we are eager to work with the government to help turn this bold vision into lasting change.” 

With the 10 Year Health plan the majority of outpatient care will happen outside of hospitals by 2035, by transforming care in the community. New digital tools will allow GPs to refer patients quicker, and a wider range of services available on people’s doorsteps will mean less need to attend appointments in hospital for ophthalmology, cardiology, respiratory medicine, and mental health.

As a result of this shift to community, hospitals will be able to focus on patients who need hospital care, and get them seen on time again.

The government’s Plan for Change is already delivering action to cut waiting lists and fix the foundations of the NHS. Waiting lists are at their lowest level in two years, including the first drop in April for 17 years. An extra 4.2million appointments have been delivered since July – over double the government’s target. 10 new surgical hubs have opened since January, and over 1,500 more GPs have been recruited since October.

Further details:

• Where neighbourhood health teams have been trialled in England, they have significantly reduced hospital use. In Derby, integrated teams led to 2,300 fewer Category 3 ambulance callouts and 1,400 fewer short hospital stays among the over 65 population within a year.
• The Institute For Public Policy Research has already called for a neighbourhood NHS – arguing a strong primary care sector has been shown to deliver better health outcomes, fewer hospital and emergency department trips, and more efficient healthcare spending.
• As well as improving access to care for patients, The move to more care in the community will put the NHS back on the path to long-term financial sustainability. A recent study found that £100 spent on community care could achieve, on average, £131 in hospital savings.
• Care plans are vital to seamless care within the community, but only 20% of people with a long-term condition have one. Through the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government will set a new standard that, by 2027, 95% of people with complex needs have an agreed personal care plan. All care plans should be co-created with patients. This means neighbourhood teams can tailor care for specific patients, working with them and their loved ones to proactively manage their conditions instead of simply reacting and treating emerging issues as is the case under the current system. This is especially important for people with complex needs who are likely to be managing multiple conditions.
• Unpaid carers will be actively involved in care planning, with family, friends and carers agreeing decisions about care together where appropriate.

Parents in Devon are being asked to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles as the disease spreads across the UK and Europe.

Measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world, but two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood can offer lifelong protection. However-vaccine uptake in Britain is below recommended levels, and cases have been rising.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also warned that the spread of measles in Europe could put families at risk on their summer holiday. This year, outbreaks have been seen in several European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Dr Alex Degan, a GP in Devon and primary care medical director at NHS Devon, said: “It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.

“Measles cases are picking up again in England, and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.

“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain, with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.

“Nobody wants that for their child, and it’s certainly not something you want to experience when away on holiday.”

If you aren’t sure whether your child has received both doses of the MMR vaccine, you can check their Red Book (child health record) or contact your GP.  

Data published in May 2025 showed there have been 420 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in England since the start of this year. Of those, two in three cases (66%) were in children aged 10 and under, but measles has also been diagnosed in young people and adults.

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, at least 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including infants aged under one year and people with weakened immune systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles.

However, measles remains endemic in many countries around the world, and with declines in MMR vaccine uptake observed over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also seen large measles outbreaks in Europe and other countries.

NHS Devon has issued a ‘last call’ for at-risk patients eligible for the spring 2025 Covid-19 vaccine.

The spring booster campaign ends on June 17, and patients who meet the criteria are being urged to book before it’s too late.

Covid-19 is more serious in older people and those with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, the vaccine is being offered to people:

• Aged 75 years and over
• In care homes
• Aged six months and over with a weakened immune system.

Devon GP Dr Alex Degan, who is also Primary Care Medical Director at NHS Devon, said: “Covid-19 can still be dangerous for vulnerable people, so it’s important they come forward for their jab.

“Vaccination can help protect you from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital so, if you’re eligible, I strongly urge you to take up your offer of vaccination before June 17.

“It’s quick and easy to book an appointment online via the National Booking System or by calling 119. Just provide your postcode and you’ll be offered a range of appointment times, dates and locations near you.”

The National Booking System at www.nhs.uk/bookcovid will remain open until 16 June.

In addition, walk-in vaccinations are available, with information updated on a daily basis on the NHS website.

NHS Devon has submitted ten GP practices for the Government Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation (U&M) Fund. The U&M Fund is a government initiative providing £102 million in capital funding to improve primary care facilities across the country.  The money is to support improvements in primary care facilities, including renovations, extensions and new builds.

The Government has announced that all ten of the schemes submitted by NHS Devon will now be considered by the Government.  At this stage none of the schemes have been approved for U&M funding.

If approved, the modernisation schemes at these practices would provide 29 new clinical rooms in Devon.

Paul Green, Director of Primary Care at NHS Devon, said: “This has been a great example of collaborative working across the primary care health system in Devon. It is a positive step forward in the process to secure investment in GP practice infrastructure in the county.  We have been as proactive as we can to give the Devon schemes the best chance possible of being approved.  Where needed, planning applications have been submitted and approved by local councils. 

“GP practices in Devon have a good track record patient satisfaction and access has always been rated highly in national surveys. If approved, these improvements will make a massive difference to the experience of patients and staff at those surgeries.”

Notes:

• The total cost of the improvements for all ten schemes would be £2.9m, with £2.1m requested from the U&M fund.
• The ten surgeries are:
• Ashburton Surgery
• Beaumont
• Brannam Medical Centre
• Buckland Surgery
• Clare House Surgery
• Ivybridge Highlands
• Pinhoe Surgery
• Queens Medical Centre
• St Levan Surgery
• Topsham Surgery

Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the advice is to:

• Order and collect any repeat medicines
• Make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked
• Make use of community pharmacies
• Look after yourselves and loved ones – check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.

Visitors and local people are being encouraged to prepare well and make best use of health services over this May bank holiday weekend between 24 – 26 May 2025.

Patients can get treatment for common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. Pharmacy First enables community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP. These are:

• Sinusitis
• Sore throat
• Earache
• Infected insect bite
• Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women

You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them online. People are advised to check the opening hours of pharmacies in their local area on the NHS England South West website

Dr Peter Collins, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon, said: “We have seen some lovely warm days throughout May but conditions can change quickly so we ask everyone to make simple preparations to keep themselves well, whatever the weather. 

“Call 999 in a life-threatening emergency but for non-urgent care look at what other services you can access for help if you need it.”

The message is that urgent and emergency health care will be there for you, but please choose the right service for your needs.

Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the advice is to:

• Make sure you have collected any repeat medicines, especially if you are travelling
• Continue to call 999 in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
• Go to NHS 111 online if you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital; you can also phone 111
• Play your part by taking simple steps to look after yourselves and loved ones, checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
• Makesure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked
• Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. Local opening hours can be viewed on the NHS England South West website
• If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis you can access support from 111.

Visitors to Devon are also reminded that their first port of call for GP care is their home practice, which will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to any pharmacy you choose.

Dr Collins concludes: “Thank you to the many dedicated individuals working in the NHS over the bank holiday weekend to keep our local communities safe and well.”

Further information

• For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
• For local healthcare information, visit the One Devon website https://onedevon.org.uk/our-work/services-and-support/health-pressures/

Proposed changes to Integrated Care Board (ICB) functions and geography are being discussed as part of a wider NHS reform programme, to reduce management costs and focus more money on the front line. 

All ICBs in England are being asked to significantly reduce running costs and shift to a more strategic role with different responsibilities for us and other parts of our health and care system. 

For NHS Devon, following discussions with NHS England, it is proposed that we will form a wider ICB “cluster” with neighbouring colleagues at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB.  

This is very much a proposal, which will need to be worked through in more detail with Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, and NHS England who are supporting this process, taking into account further discussions with stakeholders and a national approval process. 

National context

This propose is part of a wider reform of the NHS operating model across England, which will involve the integration of the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, and a changed role for NHS regions, ICBs and providers. 

As part of this, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are aiming to create a new, leaner and simpler way of working in which each part of the NHS is clear on its purpose, what it is accountable for, and to whom.  The aim also is to lay the foundations for longer-term reform to shift resources into prevention, wellbeing and care closer to people’s homes, as part of the Government’s emerging 10-Year Health Plan.

Our priority locally

The absolute priority for the NHS this year is to continue providing high-quality patient care and reduce waits whether that is waits for surgery, waits for an ambulance, waits to be seen in the Emergency Department or waits to be discharged with hospital. 

ICB design

We are now in the process of redesigning how our ICB could work to best meet the needs of our local population within a mandated reduction in organisational running costs and under the proposal to form a wider ICB “cluster” with neighbouring colleagues at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB.

Draft NHS England guidance on ICBs’ future role and purpose outlines the need for ICBs to build strong strategic commissioning skills to improve population health and reduce inequalities.  We are therefore looking at what functions we can keep, grow or reduce, and what might need to transfer elsewhere or to stop altogether. 

Design discussions have taking into account a range of considerations such as population size and needs, patient flows, the need to discharge statutory duties, partnership arrangements and the imperative for maintaining strong ‘place’ based geography to support development of neighbourhood health in the future.

Our priority remains to serve the population of Devon in the best possible way, working closely with, and remaining accountable to, all local health and care partners. 

We will keep this page updated as more information is finalised.

Data published on 8 May shows that 47.9% of eligible people in the South West have now received their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Spring vaccination programme.  

The Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme commenced on 1 April and the NHS in the South West has already delivered almost half a million vaccinations. However, over 52% of those eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccination this season are yet to come forward.  

Invitations have now been sent out by the NHS to all who are eligible for their COVID-19 vaccination, including those who are aged 75 and over and people who are immunosuppressed. The NHS in the South West has also been visiting care homes for older adults and has now offered over 24,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to residents. 

Appointments for the Spring vaccination programme are only available to book until 16 June with the last appointments taking place on 17 June. However, there are still plenty of opportunities available to those living in the South West who wish to get their COVID-19 vaccination this season.  

To book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, or to find out more about eligibility, visit the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/bookcovid), use the NHS App or call 119. 

In addition to booked appointments, there are also walk-in clinics available. These can be found on the NHS walk-in finder. 

Crownhill Dental Practice, 48 Morshead Road, Plymouth

We were notified on 10 March 2025 that Crownhill Dental Practice in Plymouth have given notice on one of their contracts, which will cease on 30 June 2025. This provider has two contracts in the same practice; they are ceasing the smaller contract and have informed us that they do not have capacity to transfer the patients to their second contract.

Patients who are currently undergoing an open course of treatment will continue to be seen by Crownhill Dental Practice until their treatment is completed.

The practice are contacting patients to arrange appointments to ensure their NHS courses of treatment are completed on or before 30 June 2025.

If patients have an appointment booked after the 1 July 2025, this will unfortunately be cancelled.

Patient dental records remain the property and responsibility of the dental provider. Please note, when a patient attends an appointment at their new dental practice, the new dental provider will not necessarily require their dental records.  However, should the new dental practice require a summary of the patient’s dental records, patients should contact their previous practice. 

The practice will be writing out to all patients and a copy of this letter is attached for information.

Increasing access to NHS dental care for the local population is a key priority for NHS Devon, and there are several measures in place, and in progress, to support this work. These include: the implementation of an uplift to the minimum Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) rate for Devon dental providers, commissioning of longer-term contracts for stabilisation sessions across Devon, plans to significantly increase local urgent care dental activity in line with the national pledge utilising a model developed collaboratively across the South West region, and the establishment of a Devon Workforce Working Group to develop local initiatives and improvements in the recruitment and retention of the NHS Dental workforce across the county.

The latest information from NHS Devon is available here. The next briefing is due to be published in May 2025.