House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The government's 2025 mandate to NHS England and NHS Operational Planning Guidance 2025-26
30 January 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care
Proposed by Wes Streeting Lab Ilford North
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government mandates NHS England to focus on reducing elective care waiting lists and improving A&E and ambulance wait times.
- Local NHS leaders are instructed to increase general practitioner access and address mental health issues.
- Directives include a 4% productivity increase while reducing the cost base by 1% to ensure financial sustainability.
Issue summary
The minister is addressing the government's mandate to NHS England and operational planning guidance for 2025-26, focusing on improving patient care, reducing waiting times, and ensuring financial sustainability.
Action requested
The minister is instructing the NHS to focus on cutting elective care waiting lists, improving A&E and ambulance wait times, increasing GP access, and addressing mental health issues. Local leaders are tasked with implementing these directives while maintaining financial discipline through a productivity increase of 4% despite a cost base reduction of 1%. The guidance also supports primary care modernisation and urgent dental appointments.
Key facts
- NHS England is publishing the operational planning guidance for 2025-26.
- The mandate addresses challenges highlighted by the Darzi investigation.
- The plan aims to improve elective care, access to GPs, and urgent dental care.
- Local systems have greater control over funding deployment this year.
- NHS providers must reduce cost base by 1% while increasing productivity and efficiency by 4%.