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2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the NHS, not because of a lack of ambition, but because of a lack of clarity. With major strategies on the horizon, including a new Workforce Plan and Health Bill, health leaders face an increasingly familiar challenge: too many priorities competing for limited time, people, and political attention in what The King’s Fund described as a growing ‘policy stew’.
This was the outtake from a recent King’s Fund event which brought together experts from across the organisation to explore what 2026 could hold for the health and care sector. The discussion highlighted what will be a period of change and some positive momentum, but one shaped by significant complexity.
Set against a backdrop of political uncertainty, expected NHS strategies and the continued rapid expansion of AI and digital technologies, panellists, including The King’s Fund Chief Executive Sarah Woolnough, reflected on both the opportunities and, also, the pressures facing the health system. While there was optimism about the potential for transformation, there was also a call for greater clarity and long-term planning to support an NHS under sustained strain.
The National Cancer Plan is just one of several big health announcements the Government will make this year, with a New Health Bill and Workforce Plan expected in 2026. While these strategies offer some direction, panellists highlighted a sense of ‘policy stew’, a risk that too many priorities are competing, without a clear focus.
A consistent message was the need for greater transparency from Government on how success will be measured, enabling stakeholders to hold decision-makers to account. This was particularly evident in discussions around the workforce plan. Beyond addressing staffing numbers and skills, panellists stressed the importance of tackling workforce relationships, leadership and organisational culture, all of which contribute to burnout and retention challenges.
At a time when the NHS is under sustained pressure and media coverage is often negative, questions were raised on how the healthcare sector can compete as an attractive employer?
Adding to the uncertainty, 2026 is likely to be shaped by political change. With local elections in England scheduled for May, health and care will once again be firmly at the centre of political debate.
When asked where AI and digital tools are having the greatest impact, panellists offered a mixed assessment. On the positive side, technologies that automate administrative tasks, such as ambient voice technology, are already freeing up clinician time, allowing more focus on patient care.
However, there was recognition of a growing tension between efficiency gains and the risk of losing human connection, as AI may increasingly replace tasks traditionally performed by people.
Looking ahead, panellists highlighted the significant potential of AI to personalise medicine, enabling a better understanding of how treatments work for individuals rather than broad populations. Alongside this, improvements in digital access to services were noted, particularly through the NHS App, aligning with a key focus of the Government’s 10 Year health Plan to move from analogue to digital.
Concerns were raised about the UK’s preparedness for another pandemic. With the country recently losing its measles-free status and vaccine hesitancy on the rise, panellists questioned whether the system is resilient enough to respond to future outbreaks.
Despite these challenges, there was also cautious optimism. Examples of innovation included point-of-care testing, such as skin-prick cholesterol tests delivering results in minutes without a hospital visit. And while workforce pressures persist, panellists emphasised the enduring goodwill, compassion and kindness within the NHS.
The webinar ended on a hopeful note, that every day, gold-standard practice is taking place somewhere in health and care. The challenge, and opportunity, for 2026 is to better share and scale that learning across the system.
To further understand how to tell your health story amid this changing context, do get in touch with [email protected].
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