Vision to action: the NHS 10-Year Plan
Pip Cannons, CEO at Community Catalysts, reflects on the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Plan and what is needed to put the vision into action.
The NHS 10-Year Plan sets out a bold, ambitious vision
It’s a vision that demands new ways of thinking, working, and partnering.
If we really want a future NHS that is preventative, person-centred, place-based and powered by people, we’ll need more than plans. We’ll need practical action, community-first thinking, and trusted partners who understand how to nurture community capacity from the ground up. And we will need to ensure people and communities are involved every step of the way.
We are optimistic about the plan
We have been struck by the positive drive for change. To recreate, not patch up, the NHS so that it is fit for the future as a world leader in health and wellbeing. To build on its founding principles, not be held back by them.
We have also been impressed by the openness to speak to and start with the views of people who draw on the NHS. The willingness to devolve power and look beyond the NHS for solutions will transform the way people are able to access services and support, ensuring people have greater agency in their health, wellbeing and care.
We would have liked to have seen more about social care in the plan. But we remain optimistic that the pathways to align the findings of the Casey Review have been considered and hopeful that this important connectively will happen as the plan unfolds.
The proof will be in the pudding...
The plan has set not only ambitious objectives, but ambitious timescales for getting it done.
As an action orientated organisation, we like this!
We too are keen to put words into action and plans into reality. We want people to see a very different, and better NHS soon. Improving our nations health and wellbeing and eradicating the inequality that exists today.
We welcome the openness to work with external partners and organisations, like ours, willing and able to provide the skills, experience and expertise to help make it a reality.
Patients Association Seeks Views On Safeguarding In Health And Care
The Patients Association – a national charity that amplifies the patient voice and works to improve health and social care – is running two online focus groups to support the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in reviewing its safeguarding policy.
The focus groups, one for adults (Wednesday 27 August, 1–3pm) and one for under 18s (Thursday 18 September, 5:30–7:30pm), will gather experiences and insights that will feed into a summary report for the HCPC.
If you or your organisation works with patients who may be interested in taking part, please share this opportunity.
The expression of interest forms for adults can be found HERE.
The expression of interest form for under 18s can be found HERE.
End Digital Poverty Day 2025: Share your plans. Shape the national picture
On Friday 12 September, people and organisations across the UK will mark End Digital Poverty Day – a national moment for coordinated, visible action.
Launched by the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) in 2023, the day brings together communities, councils, universities, industry, charities, and individuals – all working to close a digital divide that impacts access to education, employment, healthcare, and connection.
DPA CEO Elizabeth Anderson says:
End Digital Poverty Day is not about saying the right thing – it is about surfacing what is already working, and making sure it is seen, supported, and joined up.
If you’re planning something – from a school initiative to an internal campaign or a local community event – share it with the DPA so it can be part of the national story. Confirmed activities will be featured on their website and promoted across their channels.
Find out more and share your plans: Digital Poverty Alliance – End Digital Poverty Day
Rural Health & Care – Tackling Inequalities, Building Resilience
Rural Health & Care
Thursday 18 September 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part of the National Rural Conference 2025
Bookings now open for RSN members: View the full programme
Access to health and care is fundamental to community wellbeing – yet in rural areas, geography, resources, and infrastructure often make this a bigger challenge. This year’s Rural Health & Care session at the National Rural Conference brings together leading voices from research, frontline services, and community initiatives to explore solutions that work.
From addressing healthcare inequalities and improving access, to tackling domestic abuse, enhancing mental health support, and strengthening rural hub towns, our panel will share insights and innovations from across the country.
Whether you work in health and social care, community development, policy, or service planning, this is an opportunity to learn from practice, ask questions, and take away ideas that can be adapted to your own local context.
Meet the speakers:
Dr Christina Dobson, Senior Research Associate, Newcastle University
Christina presents findings from her research into rural residents’ experiences of health and wellbeing services – highlighting barriers to care and opportunities for change.
Judith Vickress, Domestic Abuse Consultant and Churchill Fellow, The Churchill Fellowship
Judith will share how rural communities can coordinate more effectively to prevent and respond to domestic abuse, based on international learning and survivor-led approaches.
Dr Tim Sanders, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Rural Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, and Dr Chris Ford, Senior Lecturer in Accounting & Management, Lancaster University
Together, Tim and Chris will draw on the Penrith case study to explore the vital role of rural hub towns in delivering accessible, integrated health services – and the economic, organisational, and community factors that make them thrive.
Lisa Farley, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Young Somerset
Lisa will showcase Young Somerset’s early intervention model for children and young people’s mental health – ensuring the right support at the right time.
This session is one of eight themed events running from 15–18 September as part of our member-exclusive conference. It’s free to attend for all eligible RSN member organisations. Sessions take place online via Zoom and you can join as many or as few sessions as you like. Our sessions are not recorded – to be part of the discussion and benefit from the interactive format, you need to be there on the day.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from sector leaders, share your own perspective, and connect with others working to improve health and care in rural communities.