One Plan for Devon.
Open letter – 26 March 2026
Dear residents, partners, colleagues and stakeholders,
I want to share details of the One Plan for Devon, our five-year commissioning plan that was agreed by our Joint Committee on 26 March 2026.
This plan has been developed at a pivotal time for health and care in Devon.
We know that some people are waiting too long for some services, that urgent and emergency care remains under pressure, and that care can sometimes feel fragmented and difficult to navigate.
These challenges are not unique to Devon, but they are real for our residents, our staff, and our partners—and they require a clear, long-term response to improve experiences.
The One Plan for Devon sets out the overall direction for how health and care services in Devon will need to evolve over the next five years to meet growing demand, workforce pressures, and the needs of an ageing population.
At the same time, the plan recognises the financial reality facing the NHS: we must live within our means.
Therefore, we must look more towards prevention and supporting people to stay well.
Our focus is on:
- Improving access to care
- Delivering more services closer to home
- Reducing waiting times
- Improving outcomes for local people
Our aim is that the people in Devon should experience care that is easier to access, more joined up, and delivered closer to home, with shorter waits, better outcomes and a more sustainable NHS for the future.
Our plan aligns with the national direction set out in the Government’s 10 Year Plan, ensuring that Devon’s health services contribute to wider NHS priorities while responding to local needs.
It has been shaped by extensive engagement with communities, staff, and partners, reflecting feedback gathered through recent 10 Year Plan engagement programme.
We recognise that some people are worried about the future of local hospitals and health services. Our local hospitals play a vital role in our communities and will continue to do so.
We want to be clear that our One Plan for Devon does not include proposals to downgrade hospitals, make specific service changes or removal of services.
However, changes to services and the way we work, may be needed in the future to help overcome the challenges facing health and care services in Devon.
If proposals for changes are developed in future, they will be based on clinical evidence and would be subject to public involvement, giving people a clear opportunity to have their say before any decisions are made.
We are committed to being open and transparent, and to listening to the views of patients, staff and local communities and there will be a range of opportunities for people to get involved, ask questions, and help shape how this plan is delivered in the year ahead.
You can sign up for official updates, to receive the latest accurate information and receive invites to engagement opportunities.
We are also recruiting to a lived experience group that will form an important part of our engagement exercise.
Together, we want to build a sustainable NHS that continues to provide high-quality care for our communities now and in the future.
Libby Ryan-Davies
Chief Strategic Planning and Commissioning Officer
NHS Devon
