Over 100 Londoners came together on Sunday, December 8, to participate in the largest-ever national dialogue about the future of the NHS. With waiting lists in the region exceeding

1.2 million people, including over 34,000 patients waiting more than a year, the event provided a platform for local voices to influence the government's ambitious 10-Year Health Plan.

The Public Health Minister, Andrew Gwynne, and NHS England Chair, Richard Meddings, engaged directly with attendees, sharing their vision for an NHS ready to tackle modern challenges. The leaders emphasized their commitment to addressing disparities, reducing waiting times, and creating a more efficient and accessible health system.

Andrew Gwynne acknowledged the severity of the current crisis, highlighting long operation waits, difficulties accessing GP appointments, and preventable illnesses as key issues. He called the event an opportunity to shape the NHS for the next decade and beyond, ensuring it is "fit for the future."

Richard Meddings praised NHS staff for their resilience and innovation, urging continued collaboration to build on technological advancements and improve patient experiences.

 Participants shared ideas such as:

- Establishing an NHS research health company for early prevention insights.

- Expanding digital records for seamless access across GP surgeries and hospitals.

- Creating pop-up clinics to address service surges in underserved areas.

- Reducing paper waste by shifting communications online, reserving physical mail for those without digital access.

Nationwide engagement through change.nhs.uk

The government’s public platform, change.nhs.uk, has seen nearly 1.2 million visits and over 9,000 ideas submitted. Open until spring 2025, the platform allows NHS staff, patients, and the public to contribute their suggestions for improving healthcare.

The latest data reveals significant challenges facing the London NHS:

Over 1.2 million people on waiting lists, with more than 34,000 waiting over a year.

Specific backlogs include:

- 194,000 patients at North Central London Integrated Care Board, with 4,000+ waiting over a year.

- 74,000 patients at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, including 1,400+ long waits.

- 8,000 patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital, with 200+ waiting over a year.

Over 38,000 patients in the London region waited more than four weeks for a GP appointment in September 2024.

The 10-year health plan: transforming healthcare

The government’s 10-Year Health Plan, set for release in spring 2025, is built on three key shifts:

- From Hospital to Community: New neighborhood health centers will bring integrated care closer to homes, offering services from GPs to mental health specialists under one roof.

- From Analogue to Digital: A single patient record accessible through the NHS App will centralize test results, health information, and communication.

- From Sickness to Prevention: A focus on early intervention and healthy lifestyles aims to reduce time spent in ill health.

As the conversation continues across the UK, London’s event marks a pivotal step in reshaping the NHS. By incorporating public feedback, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on prevention, the government and NHS leaders aim to deliver a health service capable of meeting future demands and providing quality care for all.