From diagnosis to delivery: A framework for accelerating NHS productivity growth (November 2025)

Summary

Improving productivity is integral to creating a high-performing and sustainable health service. Amid tight public finances and stalled progress in improving the nation’s health, the NHS in England needs to seize opportunities over the next decade to deliver more and better care to patients for every pound spent. 

To assist, the Health Foundation has launched the NHS Productivity Commission to develop practical, evidence-based and ambitious solutions to improve productivity.

This report lays the groundwork, setting out:

• our understanding of NHS system productivity
• trends in key measures over the past two decades and diagnosing the reasons for the NHS’s recent stalling productivity
• our four-driver framework, which will guide future recommendations
• how you can get involved via our call for evidence.