The NHS 10 Year Plan: Practical solutions for a healthier future

The NHS 10-Year Plan marks a bold shift in how care will be delivered across the UK. It envisions a future where healthcare is local, digital-first and focused on prevention rather than just treatment.  

As an independent healthcare provider driven by a purpose to improve people’s lives and ease demand on the health system, we welcome the Plan’s ambition and believe its vision can be achieved through strong partnerships. Designed and delivered by expert clinicians, our services support people at every stage of life - from prevention and treatment through to community-based care.  

Here are some of our learnings we believe can accelerate the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Plan: 

From hospital to the community

As health systems evolve, the ability to deliver care closer to home is becoming essential to improving outcomes and sustainability. Working in collaboration with NHS organisations and local communities, Xyla is already making a measurable difference through integrated, community-based models. 

Designing care around people, not systems 

Integrating primary, community and secondary services improves continuity, particularly for people managing long-term conditions or transitioning out of hospital. Coordinated discharge models that include same-day family contact, weekend working and a single point of contact reduce readmissions and improve patient confidence – and it’s not only the patients that benefit.   

Helping people safely leave hospital sooner supports greater sustainability within the healthcare system. Our work with Kettering General, Northampton General and surrounding community hospitals enabled £4.8m in bed day savings.

As services shift into communities, digital transformation is also redefining how care is accessed and experienced. 

From analogue to digital

Digital transformation means more than technology and tools, it requires a shift in mindset and behaviour. At Xyla, we’re reimagining how people access, experience and benefit from care by embedding digital-first thinking into every stage of the patient journey.  

Making care more accessible and efficient 

Offering appointments outside of traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, and using community-based locations is helping to make care more convenient for patients. These models are also contributing to improved system flow by reducing did not attend (DNA) rates, increasing patient satisfaction and freeing up clinical time where it’s needed most.  

Digital services have significantly improved mental health care access across Argyll and Bute HSCP, part of NHS Highland, reaching even its most remote island communities. 

Smarter triage and digital tools that support better care 

Digital triage tools are helping to prioritise patients based on clinical need and reduce delays in mental health and outpatient care. When combined with the timely sharing of results between general practitioners and hospitals, these tools support more coordinated, efficient care.  

A great example of this is Frimley ICB, which partnered with Xyla to tackle long dermatology wait times. Within four months of introducing a teledermatology service, 40% of referrals were managed outside secondary care, significantly reducing pressure on hospitals and enabling faster, community-based treatment guided by NHS Consultant Dermatologists. 

Digital platforms also enable patients to take a more active role in managing their health. Remote monitoring and self-management tools allow people to track their symptoms, access therapy and receive tailored advice. Xyla’s services span diagnostic testing, routine virtual appointments and virtual wards, all designed to deliver safe, effective care at home and reduce pressure on hospital services. 

From sickness to prevention

As the NHS 10 Year Plan dictates, prevention is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity that underpins the sustainability of our health systems. The question is how to make it a practical, everyday reality.  

Integrating prevention into the system 

Embedding prevention into the flow of care can reduce pressure on acute services and improve long-term outcomes. Early intervention, proactive condition management and behaviour change support are most effective when built into existing pathways.  

In our experience, a joined-up model, with a single point of access, makes it easier for people to engage with services and move smoothly from triage to personalised support. Collaboration with local authorities, integrated care systems and community partners is key to identifying need, targeting outreach and embedding prevention into wider strategies. 

Our experience delivering the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme shows what’s possible when prevention is scaled effectively. With over 300,000 people enrolled and 99% recommending the service, we’ve seen how structured education, coaching and lifestyle support can reduce risk and improve lives. Our diabetes pathway spans prevention through education and lifestyle change, remission through structured support, and long-term management through practical tools and coaching. We’ve received over 850,000 referrals since we started running the programme in 2016. 

Personalising prevention for real lives

Prevention is most effective when it reflects the realities of people’s lives. Tailoring support to different groups – including pregnant women, young adults, manual workers and people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary heart disease (CHD) or mental health conditions – helps ensure relevance and engagement. Personalised action plans aligned to individual goals can improve motivation, support long-term behaviour change and reduce the risk of escalation to more intensive care.

Deliver on the priorities of the NHS Long Term Plan

If you are looking for a trusted partner to help make care more accessible, connected and sustainable, we would love to hear from you. Whether it’s improving patient flow, expanding community capacity or embedding prevention into everyday care, Xyla brings the insight, flexibility and clinical expertise to support your goals.