At this year’s Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Policy Connect brought together leaders from across the health and care system for a breakfast discussion on the future of mental health policy. The session, titled “What’s Next on the Mental Health Agenda?”, explored how government and partners can deliver on the ambitions set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, particularly around prevention, workforce, and parity between mental and physical health. 

The Ten-Year Plan sets out significant goals for mental health, including expanding the specialist workforce, creating open-access hubs for young people, and increasing support in schools. These commitments have been widely welcomed, but the central question remains: how can these promises be translated into tangible improvements for patients and communities? 

Expert perspectives: prevention, workforce and lived experience 

The Policy Connect panel featured contributions from Professor Deborah James (Manchester Metropolitan University), Daniel Elkeles (CEO, NHS Providers), Brian Dow (CEO, Mental Health UK), Steve Gilbert OBE (Co-Chair, NHS Race & Health Observatory Mental Health Working Group), and Dr Simon Opher MP (Chair, APPG for Health) and Peter Swallow MP 

Professor James emphasised the importance of early intervention and prevention among children and young people, arguing that addressing mental health issues early can reduce escalation and pressure on acute services. Daniel Elkeles highlighted workforce challenges as a persistent barrier to progress, calling for better integration between higher education and NHS workforce planning to ensure sufficient supply of trained professionals. 

Brian Dow discussed the ongoing need to achieve parity of esteem between mental and physical health, noting that while progress has been made, funding gaps and waiting times remain significant. Steve Gilbert OBE brought attention to the importance of lived experience and tackling inequalities, stressing that reforms must be co-designed with those directly affected. Dr Simon Opher MP linked these themes to primary care, underscoring the role of GPs in early identification and timely referral of mental health needs. Peter Swallow MP also highlighted the continued need to ensure suicide prevention especially around autistic people is not overlooked. 

Across the discussion, panellists agreed that addressing workforce needs is the critical factor in delivering improved mental health outcomes. Ensuring the right mix of skills, sustainable staffing levels, and a focus on retention was viewed as central to achieving the ambitions of the Ten-Year Health Plan. This consensus aligns closely with the emphasis placed by ministers at the Labour Party Conference on workforce transformation and the publication of the Ten-Year Workforce Plan. 

Labour’s health announcements: digital ambition and workforce reform 

As Labour marked its first full year in government, the 2025 Conference set out a comprehensive agenda for health and care reform. Ministers confirmed that consultation has begun on the Ten-Year Workforce Plan, with priorities centred on prevention, flexible careers, digital innovation, and new multidisciplinary models of care. 

The headline announcement came from the Prime Minister: the creation of NHS Online, a new “online hospital” set to launch in 2027. Delivered through the NHS App, NHS Online will allow patients to book tests, access prescriptions, receive clinical advice, and manage appointments virtually. The service is expected to deliver 8.5 million additional appointments over three years, reducing pressure on hospitals and freeing capacity for face-to-face care. 

The announcement was broadly welcomed across the sector. The King’s Fund described it as a step towards modernising access but urged the government to ensure the service is inclusive, well-communicated, and underpinned by a robust workforce plan. The Royal College of Physicians similarly called the plan “bold and necessary,” while warning that its success will depend on investment in digital infrastructure and staff training. 

Other key developments included the establishment of 43 neighbourhood health pilot sites to test integrated models of community care, and a £500 million Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers, designed to improve pay, conditions, and recruitment in a sector facing acute shortages. 

The future of accessing care

The government’s digital and workforce reforms could have significant implications for mental health. Initiatives such as NHS Online may offer patients more flexible access to clinicians, improve continuity of care, and help people remain in stable, supportive environments. However, experts have cautioned that these benefits will only be realised if the reforms address the risk of digital exclusion and ensure adequate workforce support to deliver the change. 

Recognising these challenges, Policy Connect will host the first evidence session of its Improving Access to Primary Care Inquiry on 29 October 2025. The session will examine access barriers, the role of digital and workforce transformation, and opportunities to strengthen integration between mental health and primary care. 

The inquiry will gather evidence from experts, providers, and patient representatives to explore how reforms can deliver equitable, effective, and sustainable access to primary care. Stakeholders with relevant experience, research, or insight are encouraged to get in touch and contribute to this important discussion. For more information on the upcoming evidence session please contact: Jasmin.adebisi [at] policyconnect.org.uk (Jasmin[dot]adebisi[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk).