Responding to an announcement by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to 'transform' the NHS ahead of the launch for the engagement process for its 10-year health plan, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"The 10-year plan presents a critical opportunity to create a ‘next generation’ health service.

"The focus on creating a 'digital' NHS, prevention and public health and ensuring patients are cared for in the right setting are central to this.

"Trust leaders will work with the government to get to grips with the challenges facing health and social care and to deliver improvements. They know the NHS needs to work differently and go further and faster to improve care for patients.

"However, this must go hand in hand with sustainable funding and investment, particularly for capital, an end to chronic workforce shortages and more support to meet growing demand, not just in hospitals but across mental health, community, and ambulance services, too.

"We must also recognise the close relationship between health and social care, and the need for reform and investment in both the short and long term."