England Advances Towards a Professionalised and Digitally Enabled National Care Service
Healthcare in the UK is under immense pressure. An ageing population, rising levels of chronic illness, workforce shortages, escalating costs and outdated systems have pushed services to their limits. At the same time, people rightly expect more personalised, responsive care that fits around their lives.
Delivering meaningful reform is not easy. The scale of the challenge demands collective will, sustained action and strong leadership at every level. Published on the 3rd of July 2025, the Fit for the Future: The 10 Year Health Plan for England, sets out a bold shift from hospital-focused, reactive care to an integrated, preventative and digitally enabled system. In parallel, Baroness Casey’s ongoing commission into Adult Social Care will also be part of the wider vision for a neighbourhood health service that shifts care from hospitals to communities. The first phase of that commission will be to support delivery of the government’s health mission, in the context of ongoing reforms, including the 10 Year Health Plan.
While this plan is primarily focussed on the NHS in England, its impact reaches far beyond. Social care providers must pay close attention. This is a clear signal that the sector will need to raise its game on collaboration, technology and data to play a vital role in building a truly joined-up health and care system.
Could this be the start of bigger changes ahead for social care? This blog breaks down the key areas to watch and practical steps you can take now to prepare.
Collaboration: Building a Connected System
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) will be the strategic commissioners of local healthcare services under the new plan. Their success depends on strong local partnerships, with community-based social care providers playing an equal role. Local operating models will help bring services and funding together around people’s real needs.
Furthermore, the approach will rely on secure, connected data and technology that enables more efficient, coordinated, personalised and predictive care. It will demand investment in leadership, workforce training and digital skills. A confident, skilled domestic workforce will be essential for delivering integrated care at scale.
Tips for social care providers:
- Get actively involved in local ICB meetings and forums so you have a seat at the table.
- Build strong local relationships and share your expertise on what good looks like for social care.
- Read our blog Navigating New Legislation and Growing a Domestic Social Care Workforce for practical workforce tips.
The Digital Imperative: Technology in Social Care
The NHS plan is clear about its digital ambition: to “make the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world with AI seamlessly integrated into clinical pathways”. It highlights initiatives like Single Patient Records, the NHS App for people to manage their own care and data, and smarter digital tools to reduce staff workload and free up time for care. The plan sets a bold new course, but turning a big ship is never easy. In that respect, the plan fails to fully acknowledge the challenge of transitioning from a legacy digital infrastructure and outdated EPRs that are still deeply embedded and difficult to replace. So, will they be ditched in favour of modern systems, and if so at what cost?
The plan claims that AI will become every nurse’s and doctor’s trusted assistant, supporting better decision-making. It acknowledges the use of wearables and its role in monitoring health and enabling early interventions, but leaves out any mention of virtual wards, which brings hospital-level care into patient’s homes.
Social care is well-placed to lead here. Many providers already use sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices for proactive, preventative care such as falls prevention and remote monitoring. There is huge opportunity to go further by linking this data into machine learning systems that spot trends, predict risks and support better outcomes. At PredicAire, we are proud to be leading projects that put this into practice.
Tips for social care providers:
- Choose digital systems that can link with GP Connect and securely share data across health and care.
- Make sure your platforms are API-ready to connect IoT devices and other niche tools.
- Look for AI-native systems that go beyond simple automation and use or are developing machine learning to deliver real predictive insights.
Data: The Foundation for Better Care
High-quality data is now the foundation of modern health and care. Used well, data helps spot trends, predict needs and target prevention so people stay well and independent for longer. Accurate data also makes compliance and quality reporting much easier.
The plan takes this further, beyond delivery of care to regulation. It confirms that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will shift to a more data-led regulatory model. Inspectors will assemble qualified teams to assess service quality in detail where needed. But the CQC’s own struggles with its IT transformation show that ambition must be backed by real delivery, governance and action.
Social care providers must ensure they have robust data processes in place, keep information secure and train staff to understand why data accuracy matters day to day.
“This plan puts the health system first. We cannot wait for a perfect plan for social care. We’re acting now to set the standard for a data-led, proactive social care sector.” Ketan Shah, Director, PredicAire
Tips for social care providers:
- Review your data governance and privacy policies regularly.
- Make sure staff know how to handle, record and share information securely.
- Check that all third-party systems you use are GDPR compliant and secure.
How Data-Led Care Can Support You
The NHS 10-Year Plan sends a clear message: the future of healthcare will be digital, integrated and powered by good data and advanced technology. It is a clear signal for social care too. Staying compliant is only the start. Providers that use systems for predictive, preventative care will be ready to deliver real impact and work seamlessly alongside this plan.
PredicAire’s all in one, intelligent care platform is designed to help you do exactly that. We bring together care planning, compliance, data and predictive insights in one secure, interoperable platform.
If you want practical guidance on how to strengthen your digital, data and governance capability, our team is here to help. Let’s build the future of care, together.