In a move to enhance patient care, NHS England has announced a series of reforms aimed at delivering faster treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients.
The new planning guidance, published today, significantly reduces the number of national targets, allowing for a sharper focus on urgent priorities and reducing waiting times for both planned surgeries and emergency care.
For the upcoming financial year, NHS England will streamline its priorities from 32 in 2024/25 down to just 18 in 2025/26. This reduction aims to focus efforts on what matters most to patients, thereby slashing waiting times and improving overall care. By March 2026, the NHS aims for 65% of patients to receive elective treatment within 18 weeks, with each trust required to achieve at least a 5% improvement on their current performance.
The new guidance sets ambitious goals for cancer diagnosis, with NHS England planning to ensure that around 100,000 more people referred for urgent cancer checks receive a diagnosis or the all-clear within four weeks next year. Additionally, improving access to mental health care is a key priority, with all local systems expected to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard by 2025/26, ensuring a greater share of NHS resources is allocated to mental health care across the country.
The reduction in national targets will empower local health leaders to make decisions that best meet the needs of their patients. NHS England will provide greater spending flexibility, allowing local systems to allocate funding where it is needed most. This approach is designed to help meet the government’s commitment to rebuilding the health service through its Plan for Change.
NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard has emphasised the importance of driving efficiencies for taxpayers. The health service aims to reduce agency spending by at least 30% next year, freeing up approximately £650 million to invest directly into frontline services. Additionally, NHS England plans to achieve £325 million in savings by streamlining its organisational structure by 15%, redirecting resources to support patient care.
Pritchard said:
“Thanks to the incredible work of our staff, the NHS is providing more appointments, tests and treatment than ever before, helping to cut long waits – but we know there is much more to do.
“The NHS must go further and faster to improve and reform care, and today’s guidance aims to deliver more timely treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients. In what will undoubtedly be another tough financial year, the NHS will continue its relentless focus on boosting productivity and driving efficiencies for the benefit of patients and taxpayers.
“Our main focus will always be on supporting frontline teams to deliver what matters most to patients – so it is also right that we prioritise and streamline the work of NHS England to ensure we maximise frontline resources. Together with Government, we have also honed down national priorities, allowing local leaders maximum flexibility to plan better and more efficient services for their population.”
The reforms come at a time of record demand on NHS services, with high levels of flu and bed occupancy in hospitals this winter. Despite these challenges, NHS staff have continued to meet performance standards, including the new Faster Diagnosis Standard for cancer.
As part of the ongoing digital transformation, the NHS will ensure that at least 70% of elective appointments are manageable via the NHS App this year, giving patients greater control over their care.
The newly published Planning Guidance and Mandate outline immediate priorities for the next year while laying the groundwork for a new 10-Year Health Plan, set to be unveiled in the summer. This comprehensive plan aims to build an NHS fit for the future, addressing the evolving needs of an ageing population.
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