Prioritising Partnership: The Independent Sector’s Role in Delivering on the Aims of the NHS 10-Year Plan Post Date : July 10, 2025 Healthcare , News 4 minutes read CHEC: Prioritising Partnership for a Healthier NHS The recently published NHS 10-Year Plan , lays out a welcome path forward for continuing the strong and essential partnership between the NHS and independent providers. We’re greatly encouraged by the Plan’s candid assessment of the challenges the NHS is currently facing and believe strongly in the founding principles outlined within it. Equally, it is critical to recognise the urgent need for updated models of care as the UK and its healthcare ecosystem continues to change and grow. We share the NHS’ commitment to creating a new model of care fit for the future, and know that delivering faster and better care will require the NHS and independent sector working together to achieve it. CHEC’s Dedication to Delivering NHS Care Closer to Home The Government’s focus on using independent sector capability to achieve one of its most important missions – reducing waiting times, especially in underserved areas – should be warmly welcomed by ICBs, Trusts and independent providers across the country for its pragmatic approach to improving health outcomes. We applaud the redoubling today of the commitment to “not let spare capacity go to waste on ideological grounds,” and agree that delivering outcomes for patients is the most important thing. We’re also deeply aligned with the NHS standards, tariffs, and clinical protocols outlined in the Plan, which will help deliver care without cost to patients, and without compromising on quality. We believe making care more accessible through local delivery capabilities such as the critical services we provide in our local community healthcare centres will help provide quality, timely care within NHS systems, closer to where people live. For that reason, we’re greatly encouraged by the Government’s interest in public private partnerships to deliver new local infrastructure, such as the Neighbourhood Health Centres. We stand ready to support new, innovative mediums for partnership and to continue delivering time- and money- saving technological advancements that are NHS aligned and value-focused. The 10-Year Plan rightly recognises the opportunity to reimagine outpatient care through more innovative applications of technology. Patient-initiated follow-up and virtual specialist advice are already transforming how patients receive care, improving accessibility while freeing up clinician time. By supporting these models through platforms such as the NHS App, we can improve capacity, reduce unnecessary admin time, and give patients more control over their care. Building a New Model of Care, Together At CHEC, we’re helping to deliver the next generation of NHS care: one that is proactive, digitally enabled, and rooted in communities. The 10-Year Plan takes an important step towards implementing the recommendations from the recent Independent Investigation into NHS Performance, led by Lord Darzi, in shifting the healthcare service from hospital to community, from treatment to prevention, and from analogue to digital. This model of care aligns with initiatives we’re already put into practice to deliver sector-leading care through advanced patient pathways and diagnostic technologies. We’re committed to advancing Government’s mission to expand these approaches to other specialties – and making them accessible tools for all. Innovation Through Collaboration Modern infrastructure, digital tools, and agile delivery models – especially in independent sector partners – will support these goals and bring the NHS closer to its mandate, to deliver timely and quality healthcare for all. But innovation doesn’t just come from new tools, it comes from new ways of working together, for patients and for the public. Achieving the ambitious aims outlined in the plan will require shifting our collective understanding of the independent sector from a vendor to a partner. Working together to build the UK’s healthcare capacity and delivery capability will require collaboration, and we’re committed to delivering high-quality, NHS-aligned care for all. This plan gives us a clear mandate, and we’re ready to support its delivery. Partner with CHEC to support the NHS 10-Year Plan. Find out more