The NHS’s 10-year health plan was a significant focus in many of Digital Health’s most-read articles in 2025. The topics explored a wide range of interests, from the necessity of human interaction in a digital NHS to the exciting potential of data utilization.

Here are the top 10 opinion pieces that captured readers’ attention:

1. The Importance of Human Touch in Wes Streeting’s Digital NHS

   In July, Dr. Karen Marshall reflected on the NHS’s transition from analogue to digital, emphasizing the need for human connection in digital cognitive behavioral therapy. She stated, “The evidence is clear: while digital content can be effective, outcomes are better when people feel supported by someone who is really paying attention.”

2. Embedding PHM at the Heart of the Model ICB

   Sam Williamson discussed NHS England’s Model ICB Blueprint, highlighting the importance of practical implementation over structural changes. He noted that using population health management (PHM) could significantly enhance care for individuals with frailty.

3. Desperate Shortage of Clinical Coders Creates Financial Uncertainty

   Dr. Marc Farr warned about the severe implications of a national shortage of clinical coders, stressing that “Accurate and timely clinical coding is vital to ensure both clinical information and funding flows around the NHS correctly.”

4. We Need to Act Fast to Close the NHS AI Safety Gap

   Yvette Khozam raised concerns about outdated safety standards for AI in healthcare, urging for immediate action to ensure data traceability and monitor AI behavior.

5. Why Technology is Key to Cutting Elective Waiting Lists

   Vin Diwakar outlined how the NHS App could streamline patient management and improve efficiency in elective care, aiming to reduce waiting lists significantly.

6. How to Turn NHS Data into Gold

   Martin Farrier and David Chapman proposed using synthetic data to unlock the NHS’s vast data reserves without compromising patient privacy, allowing for safe sharing and commercialization.

7. The 10-Year Health Plan Places Big Bets on Digital

   Jon Hoeksma critiqued the 10-year health plan for its ambitious digital goals while pointing out its lack of concrete delivery strategies.

8. Morley: ‘We Need Greater Regulation of Ambient Voice Technologies’

   Dr. Jessica Morley highlighted the risks associated with ambient voice technologies, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to prevent misdiagnosis and other potential harms.

9. Joe McDonald: The Single Patient Record is Too Big to Succeed

   Joe McDonald expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the single patient record initiative, drawing on past experiences with large-scale tech projects that failed due to their size.

10. Time to Rethink How We Evaluate Digital Technologies in Healthcare

    Kathrin Cresswell called for a new approach to evaluating the impact of digital technologies, suggesting that productivity should be seen as a short-term outcome leading to long-term benefits.