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58: Alan Milburn on the 10-Year Health Plan
Is the government’s 10-Year Health Plan the medicine the NHS needs? We ask two former health secretaries. 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? Show notes 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.
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57: Jeremy Hunt on the 10-Year Health Plan
Is the government’s 10-Year Health Plan the medicine the NHS needs? We ask two former health secretaries. 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? Show notes 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.
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56: Are neighbourhoods the real answer to better health? – with Hilary Armstrong and Andrew O’Brien
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. Show notes 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.
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55: When work isn’t working: tackling the UK’s sickness problem – with Jon Ashworth and Sacha Romanovitch
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. Show notes 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.
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54: Abolishing NHS England: a chat with outgoing chair Richard Meddings
‘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? Show notes 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.
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