Prime Minister Keir Starmer has revealed a transformative 10-year vision to reshape the NHS in England by shifting significant volumes of care from overcrowded hospitals to new community-based health centres.
The initiative aims to improve access, reduce waiting times and build a more sustainable, patient-focused health service.
Under the plan, patients will benefit from localised neighbourhood health services offering GP appointments, diagnostic scans and mental health support, all within facilities open 12 hours a day, six days a week. The strategy is designed to modernise how healthcare is delivered, aligning services more closely with people’s everyday lives.
Starmer stressed that the NHS must undergo urgent reform to survive. He described the plan as a fundamental rewiring of the health system, one that embraces innovation, supports early intervention, and places a stronger focus on preventing illness.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoed the prime minister’s message, warning that the NHS could become unsustainable if it fails to evolve. Writing in the Guardian, he emphasised the government’s rejection of claims that universal healthcare is no longer affordable in the modern age. Instead, he argued for comprehensive change to protect the NHS for future generations.
The plan is anchored on three core pillars: expanding care within communities, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and prioritising prevention over treatment.
The proposed health hubs would be staffed by multidisciplinary teams, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and professionals offering debt advice and employment support. These centres will also provide post-operative care, rehabilitation, and diagnostic services typically found in hospitals.
Despite the bold vision, experts have raised concerns about the practicality of implementation. Health think tanks and former NHS leaders have questioned whether the current workforce, funding and infrastructure are sufficient to realise such an overhaul. Critics pointed to a lack of detail on locations, staffing models, and construction timelines for the new centres.
Sarah Woolnough, CEO of the King’s Fund, welcomed the renewed focus on community care but noted that similar promises have been made by previous governments without meaningful delivery. She warned that merely co-locating professionals in a building does not guarantee the creation of a functioning neighbourhood health service.
Thea Stein, head of the Nuffield Trust, underlined the complexity of such a transformation. She highlighted the need for strong leadership, cultural change within the NHS and structural reform to redirect funding effectively.
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that while the new health centres will eventually operate into the evenings and weekends, full rollout will take time. Ministers acknowledged that while the NHS has received a £52 billion boost under Labour, turning the vision into reality will involve careful planning and long-term commitment.
With public frustration mounting over delays in accessing GPs, A\&E services and elective procedures, the success of this plan could prove pivotal to the government’s credibility and the future of the NHS. The 143-page blueprint represents one of Labour’s most ambitious healthcare strategies in decades, aimed at delivering a more responsive, resilient and people-centred service across the country.
