Now that the fanfare around July’s unveiling of the NHS 10-Year Plan has subsided, we’re left with a hefty 168-page document full of vision—but what about delivery? As someone who’s worked across governance and community representation, I can’t help but ask: are we looking at genuine change, or another glossy cover for familiar frustrations?

The government’s new 10-year NHS plan, published on July 3rd but not coming into force until 2026, is a significant document, and one that may change the NHS and healthcare in England substantially. It may even save it from the brink of disaster, if some commentators are right. 

Strategy often feels like a buzzword employers put into job descriptions to shake off candidates who are afraid of a challenge. However, at its core it simply means a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term aim.