NHS trusts are dedicated to providing the best possible care, in the right place and at the right time. As these case studies show, trusts are well placed to develop services that meet the needs of their communities, and they can deliver high-quality care for patients and value for the wider health system.
There is an opportunity to go further. The development of the new 10-year plan for health is a chance to further develop preventative, patient-centred and community-based models of care. This requires national investment in and prioritisation of primary and community care to enable trusts and system partners to address rising demand and ensure care is delivered in the most appropriate settings. A focus on supporting equitable patient access to and flow through the health and care system, investment in digital capacity and equipment, and modernising the estate are key to achieving this shift. Staff need to be supported to innovate and develop the care and interventions that patients need.
However, trust leaders know that they cannot tackle current pressures and future challenges alone. Developing the skills and capacity of the social care sector is vital, along with work across the public sector to positively influence the wider determinants of health. This is key to managing long-term demand for health and care services and enabling high quality care.