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From blueprint to breakthrough: the HSJ summit unpacked
By Ben Hampshire
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Our team reflect on time spent with local and national leaders at HSJ Summit: Delivering the 10-year health plan.
Three months on from the launch of the 10 Year Health Plan, over 100 senior NHS leaders and Department of Health & Social Care representatives convened in Chester for two days of pivotal conversations to shape the future of health and care.
Chester’s historic setting reminded us that while lasting change takes time, bold action is the first step—echoing the Latin phrase “audaces fortuna iuvat”—fortune favours the bold.
Discussions that sparked insight
Our roundtables, filled to capacity, brought together Chairs, Chief Executives, and C-suite leaders from across the country. The conversations were rich, insightful, and grounded in lived experience. While we only began to scratch the surface of strategic commissioning, the energy and urgency were palpable.
This concept—first introduced in the Model ICB Blueprint and reinforced in the 10 Year Health Plan—sparked thoughtful reflection. Many agreed: “The vision feels right, but we’re not there yet.”
“The vision feels right, but we’re not there yet.”
To get there, leaders recognised the need to build data-informed relationships, while rebalancing financial flows to ensure every partner—whether a neighbourhood team or an integrated care organisation—is valued. There was strong consensus: commercial incentives must be aligned, rooted in robust evidence, and inclusive of all stakeholders.
Encouragingly, we saw examples of real progress from leaders embracing a “carpe diem” mindset. These pioneers understand that strategic commissioning isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about courageous leadership, bold decisions, and delivering meaningful outcomes.
Themes that emerged
Over the two-day Summit, we heard from leading voices on neighbourhood working, interoperability, data-driven transformation, financial redesign, prevention, patient empowerment, and emerging technologies—from AI and genomics to robotics. The message was clear: if we’re to turn vision into reality, industry partnership with the NHS must play a central role.
Our role in the journey
At Optum, we’re proud to be that trusted partner—bringing proven solutions, clinical and social care expertise, and digital innovation to support the next chapter of healthcare.
We’d love to continue the conversation. Join us at NHS Providers Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025, in Manchester on 11-12 November. Alongside the main programme, we will be providing delegates with the opportunity to experience a live simulation, with health, care, voluntary and community professionals, showing how neighbourhood health and care could work in practice.
And if you’re curious about what partnership with Optum could look like for your organisation, please reach out to us at uk.info@optum.com.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared by Ben Hampshire in a personal capacity. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by the author of this piece belong to the author and do not purport to represent the views, thoughts and opinions of Optum.
About the author
Ben Hampshire
Regional director
Ben serves customers across the NHS North East & Yorkshire and North West Regions, supporting NHS organisations in maximising the benefit of Optum solutions. Passionate about system-to-person transformation, Ben works in partnership with NHS colleagues to identify key challenges and explore how Optum can play a role in addressing such needs.