What the NHS 10-year plan means for workforce engagement
A pivotal moment for the NHS workforce
The NHS stands at a crossroads. With staff shortages, burnout and retention challenges at critical levels, the new 10-year plan for England sets out an ambitious vision for change. At its heart is a simple truth: while technology, processes and structures are important, it is people who deliver care – and people who will make or break reform.
The plan calls for a shift from hospital to community, from analogue to digital and from sickness to prevention. But underpinning all of this is workforce reform: creating a motivated, digitally enabled, high-performing workforce empowered to lead change from the frontline.
Key takeaways from the 10-year plan: the workforce lens
Through a workforce lens, the plan brings several priorities into sharp focus:
- A culture of continuous improvement – NHS staff must be supported to shape the future, not just work within the past
- Autonomy, feedback, motivation and recognition – these are no longer optional extras but critical for performance and retention
- Leadership accountability and digital enablement – managers need tools, insights and authority to lead effectively
- Staff wellbeing as a foundation – without it, none of the other ambitions are sustainable
Why workforce engagement is now a strategic imperative
Workforce engagement is no longer a “nice to have.” It is measurable, reportable, and a direct driver of performance. The plan sets an expectation for performance management and culture metrics, and for leaders to act on them.
When teams are engaged, they are more innovative, more resilient and more committed, making every other transformation goal achievable. Without engagement, the best strategies risk falling flat.
How ImproveWell aligns with the plan’s vision
ImproveWell is purpose-built to help NHS organisations meet the workforce reform challenge. It:
- Gives every voice a channel for ideas and feedback
- Tracks culture and sentiment in real time
- Builds shared purpose and pride through recognition
- Creates actionable insights for leadership and planning
A partner perspective: delivering the vision in practice
Across the NHS, many providers are already putting the principles of the 10-year plan into action. Operose Health, one of the UK’s largest primary care providers, has been embedding many of these priorities through GP-led services in local communities.
In her commentary on the 10-year plan, Samantha Kane, CEO of Operose Health, highlighted the profound and lasting impact of primary care on people’s lives. She welcomed the government’s strong emphasis on neighbourhood health and the central role of GP-led primary care in shaping a more proactive, integrated and accessible NHS.
Operose Health is already delivering this vision in practice, from prevention and early intervention to integrating services across health and social care, aligning closely with the NHS’s shift from hospital to community, from analogue to digital and from sickness to prevention.
Conclusion: now is the moment
Staff engagement is the key to unlocking improvement. The 10-year plan makes it clear: without an engaged workforce, reform will stall. ImproveWell is ready to help NHS trusts and systems meet this pivotal moment and power the future NHS workforce.
