Personalised care lift for 5m Britons

UP TO five million Britons will be given greater control of the way their care is planned and delivered in the next decade.

More than 200,000 people have joined the NHS Personalised Care model, which involves tailoring services to fit a patient’s needs.

But that number will rocket to 2.5 million by 2023/24 as the initiative is rolled out across the country – and the NHS will then aim to double that figure again within a decade.

And 200,000 people will also benefit from personal health budgets, which patients can spend according to a plan developed with their local NHS team in the next five years.

Measures

Richard Murray, chief executive of The King’s Fund think-tank, said: “This is an ambitious plan that includes a number of commitments which – if delivered – will improve the lives of many people.

“NHS leaders should be applauded for focusing on improving services outside hospitals and moving towards more joined-up, preventative and personalised care for patients.”

Fran Woodard, of Macmillan Cancer Support, endorsed the NHS England 10-year plan.

She said: “We welcome the specific measures it puts in place to ensure earlier diagnosis, improved survival outcomes and the focus on personalised care.”

Ms Woodard added that the proposals would also “ensure everyone with cancer gets the right support which meets their needs”.