The UK government has unveiled a new ten-year infrastructure strategy aimed at driving national growth under its Plan for Change. The strategy outlines major reforms in how infrastructure projects are developed and delivered.
In the healthcare sector, the government plans to invest over £6 billion annually to improve hospital safety, cut waiting times, enhance patient care, and create better working conditions for NHS staff. It also intends to remove dangerous RAAC concrete and fix other critical infrastructure issues, ensuring patients receive treatment in safer, modern environments.
The strategy includes a proposal to assess the use of new Public Private Partnership (PPP) models in specific taxpayer-funded projects. These would only be used in limited cases, such as some primary and community health facilities, where they offer good value.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, welcomed the focus on community care but called for more details on how the funding will be distributed. He said the move could support new neighborhood health hubs and promote local economic development. He also urged the government not to limit PPPs to community care, suggesting they could benefit wider parts of the health system.
In another development, hospital consultants may soon join junior doctors in strike action. The British Medical Association (BMA) has launched an indicative ballot for senior doctors after entering a formal dispute with the government over pay. Consultants, who earn around £145,000 a year on average, are calling for a higher wage increase. The BMA warned that multiple groups of doctors could end up striking together unless the government responds.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, encouraged the unions to engage in constructive talks to address concerns and protect essential services.
Meanwhile, NHS England has told trusts and GPs to stop using AI tools that do not meet safety and data standards. A letter from Alec Price-Forbes, the national chief clinical information officer, urged NHS organisations to immediately halt any engagement with non-compliant audio transcription suppliers. He warned that using such tools could lead to clinical safety risks, data breaches, and financial harm.
A separate report from the Professional Standards Authority has found that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) wrongly registered over 350 nurses who were either underqualified or had used fraudulent documents. The NMC, which oversees over 800,000 nurses and midwives, was also criticised for delays in fitness-to-practice investigations and repeated failures in case handling. The report revealed deep operational and cultural issues inside the organisation.
Concerns over workplace heat have sparked calls for change within the NHS. A BMA motion is asking the union to demand a maximum workplace temperature policy. If temperatures rise above 30°C, the motion suggests that non-essential staff should be allowed to walk out in protest. Matthew Taylor of the NHS Confederation agreed that extreme heat and poor ventilation can seriously impact staff wellbeing and patient care, unless proper funding is available to fix ventilation systems.
Daniel Elkeles, the new chief executive of NHS Providers, has urged leaders of integrated care boards (ICBs) to consider cutting the number of commissioners even further than the current proposal of 27. He warned that some boards may be too small to attract strong leaders. Under existing plans, 13 ICBs would serve populations of less than two million people.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has said two promising Alzheimer’s drugs, donanemab and lecanemab, are not cost-effective for the NHS. While the treatments target a key protein involved in the disease, NICE said their cost could divert funding from other vital services. Reactions were mixed, with some campaigners expressing disappointment and others supporting the decision.
A new report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) warns that air pollution is killing over 500 people every week in the UK. It is also costing the economy more than £500 million a week through ill health, NHS treatment, and reduced productivity. The RCP said 99% of the UK population is exposed to toxic air, which is now linked to serious health problems including cancer, stroke, heart disease, dementia, and mental health conditions. Dr Mumtaz Patel, RCP president, said air pollution should be seen not just as an environmental issue but a major public health crisis.
Lastly, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has appointed Chris Badger as its new chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care. He will take up the role after serving as director of adult care services at Hertfordshire County Council.
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