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14 Apr 2025

by Viola Pastorino

Event Round-up: Health and Care Policy Review: Q1 of 2025

This April, the techUK team dived into the recent policy updates of the first quarter of 2025. Find below a summary of the update, the session's slides, and recording.

[Presentation] | Health Policy Update | January - March 2025

NHS Transformation and DHSC Integration

The first quarter of 2025 has been defined by the UK government's March 13th announcement to abolish NHS England and integrate its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This represents a fundamental reversal of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act reforms and establishes a new governance paradigm for healthcare in the UK.

Transition Leadership and Timeline

A new leadership team has been established with Sir James Mackey as Transition CEO of NHS England (effective April 1, 2025) and Dr. Penny Dash as Chair
An "Interim NHS England Transformation Executive Team" is now operational
Full integration is expected by early 2027, with a two-year transition period

Financial Strategy

NHS England has reported a significant reduction in projected deficit for 2025/26: £311 million versus the initial forecast of £6.6 billion
Return to "fair shares allocation policy" for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
Mandate for NHS providers to "reduce corporate cost growth by 50% during Quarter 3 2025/26"
Monthly tracking of corporate cost data to monitor performance against targets

Governance Approach

Shift toward "a devolved, rules-based system built on strong Board accountability"
Focus on creating a "net surplus" rather than deficit reduction
Enhanced role for ICBs as strategic commissioners, central to the forthcoming 10 Year Health Plan
Commitment to "greater openness and transparency" with less centralised control

techUK's Response and Actions

techUK has taken several immediate actions following the announcement:

Convened the HSC Council to discuss implications, leading to an initial techUK statement
Reached out to the new leadership team to seek clarity on impacts to digital, data, and technology programs
Contacted key stakeholders including Dr. Vin Diwakar, Dr. Penny Cash, Sir Jim Mackey, and Wes Streeting
Organised a member-wide forum to gather industry perspectives and concerns
Committed to ongoing advocacy and information-sharing as the transition unfolds

Legislative Updates

Procurement Act 2023

Effective as of February 24, 2025
Introduces simplified procurement system with enhanced transparency
New Central Digital Platform launched to improve digital access
National Procurement Policy Statement prioritizes social and economic value
techUK's Central Government team has created resource hubs on key changes, Social Value, and Frameworks

Data Use and Access Bill

Currently in Committee stage after first reading in House of Commons (February 2025)
Section 121 addresses changes to information standards for health and social care in England
techUK has convened a session with CIO Sonia Patel on implementation priorities

Health Data Research Service

The government and Wellcome Trust have announced a £600 million investment to create a new Health Data Research Service:

Will provide a secure single access point to national-scale health datasets
Operations expected to begin by end of 2026
Facility will be housed at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire
Aims to accelerate medical breakthroughs while maintaining security and privacy
Part of the government's Modern Industrial Strategy to drive growth in UK life sciences
Goal to cut clinical trial setup times from 250+ days to 150 days by March 2026

Public Sentiment and Wider Context

The latest British Social Attitudes survey reveals concerning trends:

NHS public satisfaction at 41-year low (21%, down from 60% in 2019)
Record-high dissatisfaction (59%)
A&E services saw sharpest satisfaction decline (31% to 19%)
Despite dissatisfaction with services, 90% of public supports NHS founding principles

Looking Ahead

Key developments on the horizon include:

10 Year Health Plan expected between June and September 2025
Forthcoming Spending Review outcomes
Potential new directions under MHRA change of leadership
Continued techUK influence through participation in government's data and technology working group

The healthcare landscape in the UK is experiencing unprecedented change. techUK remains committed to supporting members through this transition, advocating for the role of technology in healthcare transformation, and providing ongoing insights as the situation evolves.

Health and Social Care Programme activities

techUK is helping its members navigate the complex space of digital health in the UK to ensure our NHS and social care sector is prepared for the challenges of the future. We help validate new ideas and build impactful strategies, ultimately ensuring that members are market-ready. Visit the programme page here.

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Authors

Viola Pastorino

Junior Programme Manager , techUK

Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.

She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.

She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.

Outside of work she loves reading, backgammon tournaments, and diving.

Email:: [email protected]

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Event Round-up: Health and Care Policy Review: Q1 of 2025