Introduction

The Government's "Change NHS" consultation has now closed, with the final submission deadline passing on April 14th, 2025. The National Kidney Federation has submitted comprehensive responses to the various consultations around specific aspects of the 10-year plan. There continue to be consultations around certain aspects of the NHS such as shaping the national cancer plan and the NKF will continue to engage with these to voice the concerns of kidney patients at the national level.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and priorities through Change NHS. The Government will now be analysing all feedback as they finalise the development of the Plan. As we await the publication of the final 10-year plan (expected in mid-2025), this briefing aims to help kidney patients understand the key proposals that have emerged so far, their potential impact on kidney care, and how the NKF is working to ensure your needs are prioritised.

What is the 10-Year Plan?

The Government's plan aims to transform healthcare through three major shifts:

1. Moving care from hospitals to communities - Creating more local healthcare services including neighbourhood health centres
2. Transitioning from paper-based to digital systems - Using technology to improve care and efficiency
3. Focusing on prevention rather than just treating illness - Helping people stay healthier longer

NHS England Abolition: What does it mean?

In March 2025, the Government announced plans to abolish NHS England (NHSE) and integrate its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care. This is a significant change to how the NHS is managed at the national level. 

What do you need to know? 

This restructuring intends to reduce complexity and create clearer lines of accountability. The 10-year health plan is still going ahead as planned despite these organisational changes. The transition will take place over approximately two years and the Government intends for day-to-day healthcare services should continue without disruption.

What could this mean for kidney patients?

As it stands, national kidney care policies and standards should continue to be maintained. At the NKF we will remain vigilant to ensure specialised kidney services receive proper attention during this transition and we will continue advocating for kidney patients' interests with the Department for Health and Social Care directly.

Integrated Care Board (ICB) Funding Changes

Integrated Care Boards, which plan and coordinate local health services, are being asked to reduce their administrative costs by 50 percent. This will affect how local healthcare is organised. If you wish to explore this in more depth we recommend this article from the Kings Fund.

ICBs must make significant cuts to their running costs and we are concerned that "place-based teams" (local staff who coordinate care in specific areas) might be reduced. The Health Secretary has stated that changes need to be made in a way that "builds an NHS fit for the future". We will continue to voice the concerns of kidney patients on a national level throughout these changes.

Local kidney care coordination could be affected if place-based teams are reduced and community-based kidney services might see changes in how they're managed. The NKF is monitoring this situation closely to understand how these cuts might affect local kidney care services. For people with kidney disease, these changes could significantly impact how and where you receive care. The plan's emphasis on community based care aligns with our Home Dialysis Campaign, which has demonstrated that home dialysis not only offers greater independence but also proved safer during the pandemic.

Key Aspects That Could Affect Kidney Care

Community-Based Care

The shift toward community based care could represent an important opportunity for kidney patients. The creation of neighbourhood health centres bringing together GPs and community services could make it easier to access multiple types of care without traveling to different facilities. Virtual wards are another promising development that would allow more patients to receive care in their homes while still being monitored by healthcare professionals. Better integration of care between hospital specialists, community services, and primary care if achieved would also be beneficial. This shift could support more kidney patients receiving dialysis at home, which our research shows has significant benefits for quality of life and health outcomes.

Digital Transformation

The digital transformation of the NHS could bring substantial benefits to kidney patients who often navigate complex care needs. Expanded use of the NHS app for managing your health and better technology to help coordinate your care between different services would be helpful. More digital communication options with your healthcare team could also be of great help.

Prevention

The plan promises an increased focus on prevention. Catching health problems earlier and managing existing conditions better can only a positive step. For kidney patients, this could mean:

• Earlier detection of kidney disease
• Better support for managing related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
• More resources for self-management of kidney health

Challenges

While the 10-year plan offers promising opportunities, there are challenges. These include funding pressures which might limit how quickly these changes can happen. This is especially unpredictable due to international current affairs. Workforce shortages could also affect specialised kidney care services as well. Health inequalities also remains a challenge - our research shows that patients from more deprived areas are less likely to access home dialysis (15% in the most deprived areas compared to 22.9% in the least deprived areas in England).

The NKF's Response

We're actively working to influence the 10-year plan to ensure kidney patients' needs are met:

• We've responded to NHS consultations
• We're advocating for better support for home dialysis, especially addressing inequalities in access
• We're developing resources to help patients engage with Integrated Care Boards about local healthcare plans
• We're monitoring the NHS England transition to ensure kidney care remains prioritised

Next Steps

As the 10-year plan develops, we will:

• Keep you updated on how changes might affect kidney care
• Continue advocating for kidney patients' needs
• Provide guidance on navigating any changes to services
• Work directly with the Department of Health and Social Care as NHS England functions are integrated

Get Involved

You can help shape how these changes affect kidney care:

• Join our campaign for better home dialysis access
• Share your experiences of kidney care with us
• Contact your MP about supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group
• Engage with your local Integrated Care Board to ensure kidney services are protected during administrative changes

Stay connected with the NKF for the latest updates as the plan develops and is implemented over the coming months and years.

Become an NKF Member for just £3 a month. For more information on the benefits you receive as a member visit: www.kidney.org.uk/member