1 day Ago By Monet Bailey
Open Access News Health & Social Care NHS England abolishment: Health Tech leaders react to Starmer’s bold restructuring March 31, 2025 Image: © Marbury | iStock The healthcare sector is facing a significant shake-up following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement to abolish NHS England and bring healthcare administration back under direct government control The timing of this decision raises important questions: Why abolish NHS England now, and is it the right move from Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting? The government’s ambitious 10-year Health Plan (due to be published in June) aims to transform patient care through decentralisation, but many wonder if dismantling the existing structure will help or hinder this goal. For innovative healthcare companies seeking NHS partnerships, the landscape is suddenly uncertain. And perhaps most pressingly – what happens now? Industry leaders from across the healthcare and digital health sectors have shared their perspectives on this monumental shift: Industry reactions Rich Pugmire, CEO of Answer Digital: “This news will be highly unsettling, not just for those working in the NHS.
Moving the NHS under government control will mean significant changes and there is still much more information needed to build confidence in this new structure. “The government must ensure that improved health outcomes with reduced waiting lists are delivered alongside the challenging cuts that have been announced, both regionally and nationally. There are tough times ahead and now more than ever, the health service must leverage industry partnerships to support this transformation.
” Nick Wilson, CEO of System C: “Stripping away duplicated efforts and empowering trusts with real autonomy could finally deliver the integrated care patients and citizens deserve. But we need to make sure we don’t treat the NHS like a political football which will ultimately lead to perpetual reinvention. New governments often mean new plans, more disruption and wasted momentum.
We’re making great strides with AI right now that could transform care delivery and efficiency – yet these innovations risk being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. “When Keir Starmer talks about reducing compliance by 25%, we need clarity on what this means for the NHS. Abolishing NHS England may remove teams but you need to simultaneously reduce the need for those teams.
You can’t retain the regulation and governance while eliminating the staff to deliver it – the two go hand in hand. There’s also concern about social care being overwhelmed if NHSE comes under DHSC control. We absolutely cannot allow the NHS to grind to a halt in the short term.
If these changes mean reducing the scale and scope of ICBs to give more power to trusts, that could be positive – they know what they need to do. Above all, this transition demands strong, decisive leadership to navigate these complex waters successfully.” Dr.
Rachael Grimaldi, Co-Founder and CEO, CardMedic: “This restructure of the NHS is inevitable to navigate the changing landscape we face but the abolishment of NHS England must be approached with caution. The real challenge lies not in the decision to restructure, but in how we transform this significant change into tangible improvements for patients and healthcare professionals alike. This could have a very real impact on continuity of service delivery across the country, and if executed poorly, risks stifling the progress and innovation in health technology that we so desperately need.
“If it’s done well, with meaningful alignment between innovation, procurement and delivery, it could genuinely transform services and patient experience. My hope is that this change creates tangible pathways that enable real transformation in how our healthcare system operates, closing the substantial gap between what clinicians and innovators want to deliver and what the NHS infrastructure can actually support – ultimately leading to better, more equitable patient care.” Leslie Golding, CEO of Diligram, the company behind MyStaff App, said: “The fundamental restructuring of the NHS is absolutely necessary to drive innovation and unlock efficiencies.
Structural change paired with AI implementation directly addresses the NHS’s operational challenges. We know this from our own AI-powered solution which has proved this approach works. The success we’ve seen at multiple NHS trusts aligns perfectly with Kier Starmer’s ambition to leverage AI for NHS transformation.
By automating document management and providing real-time access to critical policies and information, we’re delivering exactly the kind of measurable efficiency gains that support Keir Starmer’s vision for technology-enabled healthcare reform. Our work creates a clear blueprint for AI adoption across the NHS – one that simultaneously improves staff experience, enhances patient outcomes and generates substantial cost savings for the healthcare system.” Julian Coe, MD, X-on Health: “The reforms to NHS England mark a significant transitional phase, one that will undoubtedly bring some disruption in the short term.
Major changes of this scale require time to fully integrate, and while we must prioritise stabilising the NHS and ensuring patient care is not compromised, we also need to seize the opportunity provided by the upcoming 10-Year Plan to transform services for the better. “We believe that technology, including AI, can certainly play a role in this transition, but the key is improving every practice and empowering healthcare professionals. Technology providers must take responsibility for delivering the tangible benefits they promise within the budgets available.
Our goal is to reduce bureaucracy and simplify decision-making with the help of data, enabling practices to focus on patient care. “We are committed to supporting this journey and helping the NHS evolve into a more efficient, patient-centric system that balances recovery with meaningful reform.” Chris Davies, CEO, ICST: “It’s clear that the period ahead will be challenging for those working within the system.
We understand the strain healthcare professionals are under, and we believe the key to easing this burden lies in patient empowerment and a shift to patient-centric, digital-first care. Digital therapeutics offer a unique opportunity to support both patients and healthcare teams by enabling self-management of chronic conditions. Our work in Wales has shown how empowering patients through digital tools can reduce A&E visits and improve condition management, easing pressure on NHS services.
“As the NHS moves towards a more community-driven, prevention-focused model, we must embrace technology to ensure long-term sustainability. By putting patients at the heart of care with accessible, digital solutions, we can support both healthcare workers and patients in creating a more efficient, cost-effective system.” Darren Ransley, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Better: “The government’s announcement to abolish NHS England will undoubtedly cause much uncertainty to many NHS staff and is likely to cause disruption to an already stressed health system.
I hope that further details are released promptly to ease that uncertainty and minimise disruption to services. If this new approach helps to deploy health professionals to the frontline and remove bureaucracy around innovation, then it will be a positive step forward, in my view, to the ultimate aim of improving patient outcomes. It’s clear the NHS urgently needs to find a way to function more effectively, without obstructions and with the support of innovative digital solutions.
My hope is that this is the catalyst that sees health and social care finally come together under one leadership and one strategic direction.” Rachael Fox, Executive Vice President, UK & EMEA at Altera Digital Health: “I, like the rest in the digital health community, will be closely following the developments of the plan to abolish NHS England to understand its full impact. I’m fully aware that this will be causing many hard-working NHS staff to feel uncertain of their future following the announcement by Sir Keir Starmer.
“A significant change of approach is understandable to support the NHS during one of its most challenging periods. Bringing the NHS back into the heart of the government has the potential to make meaningful change. However, to support recovery and true reform, it’s essential that momentum with innovation to drive better patient outcomes is maintained while we work through this transition.
There has been great progress with digital maturity and transformation in areas across the NHS and, thanks to the Darzi report, we have clear digital challenges to overcome. “We will continue to support the sustainability of the NHS with cost-effective, proven and clinically led solutions that connect patient information so ICSs can provide the right care. Now is the time to implement strategies that will accelerate the NHS closer to achieving its digital goals rather than adding barriers.
” Phil Bottle, Managing Director at SARD: “The announcement to integrate NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care will cause significant uncertainly and raises more questions than answers. My hope is that this isn’t just a restructuring exercise that distracts from the major problems. If this latest move helps to streamline decision making, enable more accountability and solves the challenges of workforce shortages to improve patient outcomes, then it is one we can all get behind.
” The path forward As the dust settles on this announcement, a common thread emerges from these industry perspectives: cautious optimism tempered with genuine concern. The abolishment of NHS England represents both opportunity and risk. While streamlining bureaucracy and centralising decision-making could potentially accelerate innovation and reduce fragmentation, the transition period threatens to disrupt critical services and partnerships.
For innovative companies looking to collaborate with the NHS, this restructuring creates immediate uncertainty but potential long-term benefits if the government can deliver on promises of reduced bureaucracy and more direct engagement with frontline services. The success of this bold move will ultimately depend on clear communication, thoughtful implementation and maintaining focus on what matters most: improving patient outcomes while supporting the healthcare professionals who deliver care. The government’s 10-year Health Plan now takes on even greater significance as the framework within which this restructuring must deliver tangible results.
As these industry leaders have emphasised, technology and innovation must be embraced rather than sidelined during this transition, serving as enablers of the patient-centred, efficient healthcare system that everyone wants to see. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Print Tags NHS UK Government Upcoming OAG Webinar Editor's Recommended Articles Must Read >> New GP contract reforms aim to fix NHS access and bring back the family doctor Monet Bailey RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR UK Government and CPE agree on record funding deal to expand pharmacy services UKHSA highlights priority pathogens for public health research and development In-person GP appointments linked to increased patient satisfaction Legionella control: What we mean by ‘managing through to resolution’ HIIP: Health investment platform marks progress in expanding primary health care NHS to offer life-changing MS treatment at home LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply Please enter your comment! Please enter your name here You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ.
