The NHS 10-Year Plan: What it means for BHTA members

Last Updated on 11/07/2025 by Samantha Lewis

At the BHTA 2025 Joint Section Meeting, Willy Morris from Tendo Consulting gave an overview of the recently announced NHS 10-Year Plan.

The NHS 10-Year Plan was published on 3 July whilst many BHTA members were gathered in Leamington Spa for the 3rd annual Joint Section Meeting. Willy Morris of Tendo was able to give an on-the-day overview, unpacking the latest announcements and highlighting its implications for BHTA members. The presentation focussed on how the government’s blueprint for the NHS is not only ambitious but carries critical transformations for the future of healthcare.

Key Themes: A Shift in Mindset and Method

Willy opened with a recap of the Plan’s strategic shifts, which aim to rebalance the NHS from reactive treatment toward preventative, community-based, and digitally integrated care. These shifts include:

• A transition from hospital-based to community-centric services
• A move from analogue to digital delivery systems
• A renewed focus on prevention over treatment

Structural Reform and Local Empowerment

Significant organisational changes are anticipated, with a reduction in the number of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and realignment along mayoral boundaries. Mayors will gain more influence, including the selection of ICB chairs and guaranteed board representation. This move aims to enhance accountability and align healthcare strategies with local governance priorities.

Neighbourhood health services are set to expand significantly, encompassing areas such as mental health, ophthalmology, post-operative rehabilitation, and diagnostics. These services will be delivered through community-based centres, marking a clear shift in resource allocation from hospitals to localised care hubs over the next 3-4 years.

Technology as a Core Enabler

A central pillar of the Plan is its digital transformation agenda. The NHS App will evolve into a comprehensive “digital front door,” giving users access to prescriptions, appointments, test results, mental health tools, and AI-enabled support. The aim is to empower patients through data and streamline their interaction with healthcare services.

Moreover, the introduction of “Innovator Passports” and the “MedTech Compass” reflects a drive to accelerate the adoption of approved technologies. These mechanisms will reduce bureaucracy and ensure NHS buyers can make faster, evidence-based procurement decisions. This reform will be particularly impactful for BHTA members involved in product innovation and technology deployment.

Implications for BHTA Members

The transition toward community-based care and the digitisation of services signal increased demand for a range of medical devices and assistive technologies suitable for use in non-hospital environments. Products such as portable diagnostic tools, remote monitoring devices, and rehabilitation aids will see growing importance.

Additionally, value-based procurement is set to replace the historic focus on lowest cost, requiring suppliers to demonstrate long-term outcomes and efficiency gains. This aligns with BHTA’s ethos of promoting ethical, patient-focused practices across the industry.

Looking Ahead

While many initiatives outlined in the Plan are long-term, with some extending to 2035, they represent a foundational shift in how health and care will be delivered. BHTA members should anticipate and prepare for evolving procurement frameworks, greater local engagement with ICBs, and an expanding role for technology in care pathways.

BHTA remains committed to supporting its members through these transitions, ensuring they are informed, represented, and well-positioned to thrive in the next decade of NHS evolution.

For further details or to access the full presentation, members can contact the BHTA Policy & Advocacy team.