The Department of Health and Social Care has opened a call for evidence to help shape its upcoming 10-year workforce strategy for the NHS in England. This initiative is part of a broader effort to align workforce planning with the ambitions of the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan, which envisions a radically transformed healthcare system by 2035.
The DHSC is actively seeking insights from healthcare organisations and workforce planning experts to ensure the blueprint meets future needs. The Department also wants to hear from anyone with relevant evidence, including:
- Trade unions
- Royal Colleges
- Employers
- Charities
- Individuals with lived experience
The goal is to ensure the workforce plan is fit for future challenges, responsive to emerging trends, and inclusive of diverse perspectives.
Over the next decade, the landscape of healthcare work is expected to change dramatically, driven by three key shifts:
- From hospital to community settings - decentralising care to improve accessibility and outcomes.
- From analogue to digital processes - leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance patient experience.
- From treatment to prevention - focusing on proactive health management to reduce long-term costs and improve population health
These trends, coupled with an ageing population, technological advances, and evolving work attitudes, will reshape the sector.
So, what are the implications for the NHS workforce? The DHSC highlights several core priorities:
- Embracing digital technology and automation: Clinical staff will be able to dedicate more time to patient care as technology streamlines routine tasks.
- Modernising NHS employment: A new generation of high-calibre leaders will help transform the NHS into a modern, attractive employer.
- Supporting professional development: Staff will be empowered to reach their full potential through targeted support and opportunities.
To deliver a new approach to workforce planning, the DHSC is focusing on:
- Fostering a positive organisational culture
- Building a workforce ready for future challenges
- Ensuring the right skills are available in the right places
Universal access to digital tools and health apps - free at the point of need - is a key commitment. The DHSC also promises to reduce administrative burdens, introducing a single sign-on system and providing 24/7 support through digital solutions, including ‘a doctor in your pocket’.
The Department welcomes contributions from all relevant stakeholders. To have your say, complete the online survey here. The call for evidence closes on 7 November 2025.
Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.