July 4th 2025
The government has published its new 10-year plan for health in England, setting out how the NHS aims to move more care into communities, make better use of digital technology, and shift focus from treating illness to preventing it.
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of Neighbourhood Health Services—local teams offering things like diagnostics, mental health support, rehab and nursing care in people’s homes or nearby community hubs. The goal is to make care more joined-up, closer to where people live, and less dependent on hospitals.
The plan also places a strong emphasis on digital transformation. Promises include:
- A single NHS App experience for everyone
- Faster access to records for professionals and the public
- Smarter use of AI and other digital tools to support care and decision-making
- Better data sharing between services
These are big ambitions—and they have important implications for adult social care.
What this means for social care
While the plan is focused on NHS services, social care is clearly part of the picture. Moving more care into people’s homes and communities will only work if health and social care are properly joined up—and that includes getting the digital foundations right.
There’s a clear expectation that adult social care providers will be part of a more connected digital system, using shared care records and supporting joined-up working. This will require investment, support, and a focus on digital maturity across the care sector—not just the NHS.
Choice and control
The plan aims to give people more choice and control over their care, including how their data is used. Central to this vision is a new Patient Choice Charter, which will enshrine the right to choose where and how care is received, supported by transparent information on waiting times, outcomes and patient experience. By 2028, people should have access to a secure, single patient record through an upgraded NHS App, enabling them to manage appointments, referrals, and data-sharing preferences directly. The plan states that this digital front door will be complemented by non-digital alternatives to ensure inclusivity. The plan also commits to co-created personal care plans for people with complex needs, making shared decision-making the norm rather than the exception.
Michelle Corrigan, Director of Digital Care Hub, said:
“The plan rightly highlights the need for health and care services to work more closely together—and that includes their digital systems.
Interoperability is critical: people’s care won’t feel joined-up unless our systems are, too. Social care providers need the right support to become safely digitally mature, alongside their NHS partners. And we must get data protection and cyber security right—because public trust depends on it.”
The plan confirms what many in social care already know: technology has a key role to play, but it’s the people and relationships that make it work.
We’ll continue to monitor how this plan develops, and work to make sure adult social care has the tools, support and voice it needs to thrive in a more digital, neighbourhood-based health and care system.
Keep up to date. Register for our newsletter.
Join the conversation through Digital Care Insights – our LinkedIn newsletter.
View all News