The year saw the arrival of the long-awaited 10-Year Health Plan – a dizzying array of proposals spanning NHS structures, services, staffing and more. Government missions were downgraded; another review of social care was announced; and further hopes pinned on the transformative potential of tech. 

But how is progress overall? Is the government’s rhetoric on reform matching reality? And what should be at the top of government’s list of priorities in 2026?

To discuss, our Chief Executive, Jennifer Dixon, is joined by: 

Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor of The Observer. 

Hugh Alderwick, Director of Policy and Research at the Health Foundation. 

Health Foundation (2025). Dazed and confused? Policy ideas behind the 10-Year Health Plan. 

Policy Exchange (2025). The NHS – a suitable case for treatment? 

The Observer (2025). Poor families of babies brain-damaged at birth given lower payouts than richer parents. 

UK government (2025). 10-Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future. 

Health Foundation (2024). Is the grass really greener? 

Health Foundation (2024). Priorities for an AI in health care strategy. 

Health Foundation. Public perceptions of health and social care. 

Times Health Commission (2024). Times Health Commission: A report into the state of healthcare in Britain today.

UK government (2024). Plan for change: Milestones for mission-led government.

AI is going to have a huge impact on health and care. In England, the government’s 10-Year Health Plan aims to make the NHS ‘the most AI-enabled care system in the world’. But with AI innovations coming thick and fast, and the health technology market awash with unproven tools, how can implementation be done responsibly, ensuring patient safety, care quality and value for money?  

The US leads the world in investment, development and implementation of AI in health services. So, what lessons can we learn from the American experience? What is the state’s role in regulating AI technologies in health; how can these innovations be robustly evaluated at speed; and how could AI be used to boost population health? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Andrea Palm, former Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (2021–25) where she led the development of the Department’s strategic plan for AI in health and care.

Andrew Bindman, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Kaiser Permanente, one of the US’s largest integrated health care systems. 

Show notes

We've seen real progress in cancer care in the UK: survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and death rates have fallen by around a fifth. But cancer still causes around 25% of all deaths today – and services are facing big challenges. Cancer survival in the UK lags other similar health systems, the rate of improvement in survival has slowed, and cancer cases are set to rise substantially over the coming decade. 

25 years ago, Denmark had poor cancer outcomes compared with many European countries. Since then, bold policy action and investment has seen its cancer outcomes improve markedly, surpassing the UK. So as a new national cancer plan for England is developed, where should policymakers be focusing? And what can be learned from Denmark’s progress? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK

Jesper Fisker, Chief Executive of the Danish Cancer Society.

Cancer Research UK (2025). Cancer in the UK – Overview 2025. 

European Commission/OECD (2025). Country Cancer Profile – Denmark 2025. 

Cancer Research UK (2024). Leading on Cancer: the case for dedicated strategy and leadership across the UK. 

BBC (2025). What the NHS can learn from the European country that helped more people survive cancer. 

OUP (2022). Successful Public Policy in the Nordic Countries – Cancer Treatment Policy in Denmark.

In our third conversation with former health secretaries, we speak to Sajid Javid about the future of the NHS and its long-term funding model. Sajid was Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from 2021 to 2022, before resigning from the Johnson government. He previously served in several cabinet positions, including as Home Secretary and Chancellor. He stepped down as an MP in 2024.

In conversation with our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon, Sajid reflects on the challenges facing the NHS and why he believes it’s time to consider alternative ways of funding health care. But what does the evidence about comparable health systems tell us? What are the strengths and weaknesses of social insurance systems? And how can consensus be built on a sustainable funding mix for the NHS in future?

Policy Exchange (2025). The NHS – a suitable case for treatment? 

Sajid Javid (2023). We need to agree a new NHS future or 1948 dream dies.

OECD (2025). How do health system features influence health system performance? 

RAND Corporation (2006). The Health Insurance Experiment. 

Health Foundation (2024). Is the grass really greener? 

In the second of two special episodes, we speak to Alan Milburn about the future of the NHS and his thoughts on the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. Alan was Secretary of State for Health from 1999 to 2003, during the Blair governments, with his tenure seeing the development of the NHS Plan (2000) and record levels of investment. As Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department of Health and Social Care, Alan also had a hand in writing and developing the new plan. 

In conversation with our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon, Alan reflects on the key challenges facing the NHS today and why he believes the new plan sets the right direction of travel. But is the plan clear enough about how change will be delivered? How will the plan ensure the health service pulls in one direction across varying objectives and programmes? And will the pace of change be sufficient by the time of the next election?   

The Health Foundation (2020). Glaziers and window breakers. Former health secretaries in their own words.

The Health Foundation (2025). Jeremy Hunt on the 10-Year Health Plan. 

The Health Foundation (2025). 10-year ‘Plan for Change’ or ‘plus ça change’?

The Health Foundation (2025). Neighbourhood health is the right ambition – but will the 10-year plan deliver?

The Health Foundation (2025). Dazed and confused? Policy ideas behind the 10-Year Health Plan. 

In the first of two special episodes, we speak to Jeremy Hunt about the state of the NHS and his reaction to the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. Jeremy was Secretary of State for Health and Social Care between 2012 and 2018, in the Cameron and May governments, making him the longest serving health secretary to date. He later served as foreign secretary (2018–2019) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–2024).

In conversation with our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon, Jeremy reflects on his time as health secretary and whether he believes the new plan presents a coherent blueprint for reform. Does the plan strike a positive balance between top-down targets and decentralisation? Will the decision to scrap NHS England and cut the numbers of ICBs help or hinder delivery? And what is the future role of regulation in improving patient safety and care quality?

The Health Foundation (2020). Glaziers and window breakers. Former health secretaries in their own words.

Nuffield Trust (2025). Exploring earnings of NHS doctors in England.  

The Health Foundation (2025). Taking a chainsaw to NHS England is not the sign of a healthy state.

HSJ (2025). Cuts to ICBs and NHSE slammed by ex-health secretary. 

HSJ (2025). Patient Safety Watch: Dash Review opens a crucial door. 

BMJ (2025). Government’s 10 year plan for the NHS in England.

Our surroundings play a big role in shaping our health. And some neighbourhoods – including so-called ‘left behind areas’ – can be tough places to live, with limited economic opportunity, low levels of social mobility and social capital, and poorer health. All this contributes to people in the most deprived areas on average living 19 fewer years in good health than people in the least deprived. 

The government is pursuing a range of initiatives to boost the fortunes of deprived neighbourhoods, including a national plan for neighbourhoods, extending devolution and directing more infrastructure investment towards struggling areas. But has government understood the value of social capital in rebuilding communities? What are the lessons of past government initiatives focused on neighbourhood renewal and left behind communities? And can the concept of ‘neighbourhood health’ help to improve health and reduce entrenched inequalities? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Hilary Armstrong, Chair of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON), and former New Labour cabinet minister and MP for North West Durham.

Andrew O’Brien, Head of Secretariat at ICON.

ICON (2025). ICON’s Neighbourhood Policy Green Paper – Delivering Neighbourhood Renewal: Proposals for Change.

ICON (2025). Anatomy of mission critical neighbourhoods. 

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2025). Plan for Neighbourhoods. 

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2025). Trailblazer neighbourhoods. 

Collier P (2024). Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places. 

Health Foundation (2024). Sure Start: a model for long-term policymaking? – with Naomi Eisenstadt and Donna Molloy. 

Health Foundation (2021). The government’s levelling up agenda: An opportunity to improve health in England. 

8.2 million working-age people report having a long-term health condition that limits their ability to work. 1.7 million say that work itself is making them ill or creating challenges. In addition to causing personal hardships, this decline in working-age health is causing concern among employers, politicians and policymakers. 

With the benefits bill rising, government has set its sights on wide-ranging welfare reforms, including significant changes to health and disability benefits. Are these reforms likely to incentivise and support people back into work? And how can the system intervene earlier and support employers to provide people with the flexibility they need to stay in work in the first place? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Jon Ashworth, Chief Executive of Labour Together and former shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and for Work and Pensions.

Sacha Romanovitch, Chair of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, which is supported by the Health Foundation.

Commission for Healthier Working Lives (2025). Action for healthier working lives. 

UK government (2025). Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. 

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (2024). Pathways to Work Commission. 

Health Foundation (2025). Will short-term fixes undermine building a healthier workforce in the long run?

Financial Times (2025). How to keep sick people in employment. 

Health Foundation (2025). Mental health trends among working-age people. 

‘Today we are abolishing the biggest quango in the world,’ – Wes Streeting, 13 March 2025 

Many people were surprised by the government’s decision to abolish NHS England and fold its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care. Not least Richard Meddings, Chair of NHS England since 2022. Having formally completed his term in March, Richard joins our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon to discuss. 

In a wide-ranging conversation, Richard reflects on his time at NHS England and how the organisation has changed. With the NHS facing growing demand for care, and continuing to top the public’s list of priorities, where does the forthcoming 10-year health plan need to focus? How should ministers lead the service in the future? And what needs to happen to ensure the NHS reaches its 100th year?

The Health Foundation (2020). Glaziers and window breakers. Former health secretaries in their own words.

OECD (2025). How do health system features influence health system performance?

Department of Health and Social Care (2023). The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems.

The Health Foundation (2025). Taking a chainsaw to NHS England is not the sign of a healthy state. 

The Health Foundation (2025). Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?

NHS England (2025). Review of NHS performance and delivery (27 March 2025). NHS England board meeting.

It’s 2 years since Keir Starmer first set out his five missions for government, including a health mission to build ‘an NHS fit for the future’ and ‘a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer’. Missions were supposed to mean a new way of doing government – focused on ambitious, long-term objectives that provide a driving sense of purpose for the country.

So, with Labour now in office for 9 months, what have we learned about how mission-driven government works in practice? Are clues emerging about how government plans to improve the nation’s health beyond the confines of the NHS? And do missions show signs of bringing about durable changes in policy and how the state works? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Hannah White, Director at the Institute for Government. 

Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation. 

Institute for Government (2025). Inside Briefing. Keir Starmer rewires the state. 

Institute for Government (2024). What does a mission-driven approach to government mean and how can it be delivered?

Health Foundation (2024). Health at the heart of government. 

UK Government (2024). Plan for change: Milestones for mission-led government. 

Future Governance Forum (2024). Mission-critical: statecraft for the 21st century.