In late 2024 and early 2025, the Royal Society was asked to participate in the NHS Future State programme, led by Lord Ara Darzi FRS and his team at the Imperial Institute for Global Health Innovation. Collaborating with partner organisations Google Health and Deloitte, the Society co-produced a report outlining a transformative vision for the future of the NHS, shifting from a reactive, treatment-focused model to a proactive and preventative approach.
Facing rising pressures from chronic diseases, mental health issues, and lifestyle-related conditions, the NHS is urged to embrace advanced screening, digital technologies like AI and wearables, and enhanced health education to empower individuals with personalised insights and early interventions. The proposed ecosystem relies on data sharing and multidisciplinary support to extend healthy lifespans, reduce health inequalities, and build a more resilient workforce.
Achieving this vision requires significant investment in data infrastructure and a fundamental policy shift towards prevention, while maintaining necessary resources for ongoing disease treatment as the system transitions towards a healthier, more equitable future.