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The government's 2025 mandate to NHS England and NHS Operational Planning Guidance 2025-26

30 January 2025

Proposing MP
Ilford North
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department of Health and Social Care

At a Glance

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%.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy