Healthcare professionals from across the East of England will be joined in Peterborough tomorrow (Thursday 27 February) by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to help shape the future of the NHS, as part of the Government’s ambitious 10-year health plan consultation.
This event will take place at The Fleet, Italian Community Association, Peterborough on 27 February 2025, and forms part of the most extensive consultation in NHS history
This important event brings together over 100 healthcare professionals to discuss three transformational shifts in healthcare delivery: moving care from hospital to community, transitioning from analogue to digital systems, and shifting focus from sickness to prevention.
The health secretary Wes Streeting will be at the event alongside senior representatives from NHS England, to hear the ideas and suggestions from NHS colleagues on how healthcare can be transformed for the future.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said: “I’ll always be honest with people about the state of the NHS. We inherited a health service that was broken but that does not mean it is beaten.
“Thanks in large part to our hardworking frontline staff, we have been able to fulfil 7 months early our promise of two million extra appointments a year and waiting lists have already fallen by 160,000 under this government, delivering on our Plan for Change. But there is much more to do, and we know the East of England faces its own particular healthcare challenges, including significant health inequalities across the region.
“I’d like to thank all the people that have come to one of our events across the country and to the 100,000 people who have already had their say on the future of our health service to shape our 10 Year Health Plan. It’s not too late to get involved and be part of the solution – visit change.nhs.uk and together we can turn the NHS around.”
Clare Panniker, NHS England’s regional director for the East of England said: “The East of England faces unique healthcare challenges, including serving rural communities and managing growing urban populations. Our frontline staff have invaluable experience in delivering innovative solutions, particularly in preventative care and community services.
“This event will be crucial in capturing their expertise and ensuring that their insights help shape the future of healthcare delivery across the country. We’re particularly interested in understanding how we can better support staff as we move towards more community-based care and embrace digital innovation.”
The day-long workshop will explore key themes including:
- Building closer links between hospital and community services.
- Getting digital basics right while driving innovation.
- Empowering patients with preventative healthcare services to help them stay well.
Steve Russell, NHS England’s Chief Delivery Officer is also attending the event: “Our staff know what is needed to transform the NHS and we want their views and ideas to shape the creation of the 10-year health plan. This event in Peterborough is a fantastic opportunity to hear from staff about their honest experiences of working in the NHS – the things that make their job easier that they think should be available across the country as well as the biggest challenges they face.
“We will use those ideas together with government to build an NHS that is fit for the future over the next decade.”
There’s still time for the public to share their experiences, views and ideas for fixing the NHS on change.nhs.uk, or via the NHS App.