Hold onto your dental drills and pill counters, people—significant changes are afoot in the NHS landscape.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to abolish NHS England - Why, though?
Aiming to streamline operations and cut bureaucracy by bringing its functions directly under the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
In other words, the NHS England is being abolished and not the entire NHS care system. The reason for this is that the government is reforming the way the NHS is run.
But what does this mean for the healthcare sector, particularly for NHS dental practices and pharmacies? Let's drill down into the details.
Key Implications for Dental Practices and Pharmacies
Impact on NHS Dental Practices:
Potential Funding Instability – NHS dental contracts may face uncertainty, requiring practices to diversify into private care.
More Dentists Moving to Private Practice – NHS contract challenges may accelerate the shift toward private membership plans and cosmetic dentistry.
Reduced Public Health Support – The loss of NHS England’s oversight could weaken dental health promotion initiatives.
Increased Demand for Preventative & Cosmetic Treatments – As NHS access becomes harder, patients may seek paid services like Invisalign, whitening, and hygiene treatments.
Referral Opportunities for Specialists – Practices offering orthodontics, oral surgery, and advanced treatments can fill service gaps left by NHS delays.
Impact on Pharmacies:
Greater Emphasis on Private Pharmacy Services – Expect growth in private prescriptions, travel vaccinations, and health consultations as NHS funding is restructured.
Potential Cuts to NHS Pharmacy Support – If administrative budgets shrink, funding for minor ailments schemes and pharmacy-led NHS programs may be at risk.
Opportunities in Digital Health & E-Commerce – Online prescription services, health subscriptions, and direct-to-patient medication delivery could see increased demand.
Pharmacies Becoming Local Health Hubs – The shift may push pharmacies to offer preventative healthcare, screenings, and wellness partnerships to retain customers.
More Integration with GP & Primary Care Services – With NHS changes, pharmacies may take on greater responsibilities in community healthcare delivery.
Much is yet to be discovered, but hopefully this post enables you to think differently and pivot how you offer services at your clinics.
The General Impact on Healthcare
NHS England, established in 2013 to provide the NHS with greater independence, currently employs about 15,300 people.
The DHSC, on the other hand, has a workforce of 3,300. The proposed integration aims to eliminate duplicated roles, potentially leading to over 9,000 job cuts.
The government's rationale is that reducing administrative layers will free up funds for frontline services, including hiring more doctors and nurses.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the need for "more doers, and fewer checkers," suggesting that this move will empower healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care.
Implications for NHS Dental Practices
The dental sector has been grappling with significant challenges, including funding shortages and workforce issues.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has expressed concern that the restructuring could "critically undermine an already fragile dental public health function."
They warn that further erosion of capacity could hinder efforts to shift focus from treatment to prevention.
Recent reports have highlighted a growing "exodus" of dentists from NHS work due to insufficient fees failing to cover treatment costs.
This has reduced the availability of NHS dental services and led to the emergence of "dental deserts" across England.
The abolition of NHS England could exacerbate these issues if not managed carefully.
The BDA has urged the government to safeguard the dental public health consultant workforce to effectively implement oral health initiatives.
Implications for Pharmacies
Pharmacies serve as a critical touchpoint for community health, offering services ranging from prescription fulfilment to health consultations.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called for assurances that pharmacy representation will continue in the reorganised NHS structure.
They emphasise the importance of involving pharmacy professionals in decision-making processes to maintain and enhance patient care services.
The restructuring presents an opportunity to integrate pharmacies more closely into primary care networks, potentially expanding their roles in preventive care and chronic disease management.
However, this potential can only be realised if pharmacies are adequately supported and represented in the new NHS framework.
Opportunities for Dental Practices
Strengthening Private & Membership-Based Models
With the NHS dental system already under strain and funding uncertainty looming, now is the perfect time for dental practices to develop private patient offerings.
Membership plans (e.g., £10-£20 per month for check-ups, cleanings, and discounts on treatments) offer stability and predictable income.
Many patients are already seeking alternatives to NHS dentistry, so positioning your practice as a trusted private option can fill the care gap left by the system's inefficiencies.
Example: Look at Bupa Dental Care, which transitioned to a mixed private/NHS model to improve profitability while still serving NHS patients.
Expanding Cosmetic & Preventative Dentistry
With NHS dentistry struggling to provide even basic services, patients are becoming more proactive about oral health and are willing to invest in preventative and cosmetic treatments.
Teeth whitening, Invisalign, composite bonding, and dental hygiene services are prime areas to market to patients who want convenience and long-term oral health benefits.
Opportunity: If NHS care delays are making people anxious, position your practice as a preventative care leader. Education-based marketing (e.g., blog posts, TikTok/Instagram explainers, patient case studies - not just before and afters and practice culture and shenanigans) can drive private bookings.
Becoming a Specialist Referral Hub
As NHS practices struggle, specialist dentists (orthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons) can fill the gap by building strong referral relationships with general dentists.
If you're a general practice, consider partnering with specialists or offering new in-house treatments to keep referrals within your business rather than losing them.
Opportunities for Pharmacies
Expanding Private Pharmacy Services
With potential disruptions in NHS funding, pharmacies can reduce reliance on NHS prescriptions by expanding private healthcare services.
Opportunities include:
Travel vaccinations (already growing due to post-pandemic travel)
Weight loss programs (e.g., WeGovy, Mounjaro)
Men's & women's health services (testosterone replacement, contraception, menopause support)
Vitamin injections, blood tests, and minor ailment treatments
Example: Superdrug and Boots have successfully shifted into private healthcare services, offering in-store GP consultations and wellness treatments.
Developing a Direct-to-Consumer Model
With digital healthcare growing, pharmacies can start offering online consultations, repeat prescription deliveries, and e-commerce for health products.
If NHS cuts make reimbursement more challenging, private prescription fulfilment and subscription-based medication delivery services could be a great way to stabilise revenue.
Example: Look at Phlo Digital Pharmacy, which operates as a 100% online, next-day prescription service with high customer retention.
Becoming a Local Health & Wellness Hub
Pharmacies can reposition themselves as wellness centres, offering preventative care services and partnering with local businesses (gyms, wellness clinics, physiotherapists, nutritionists).
Hosting monthly health screenings or wellness education sessions can drive foot traffic and customer loyalty.
Opportunity: NHS delays will push patients toward convenient, trusted alternatives—a well-branded, patient-first pharmacy can become that alternative.
Mindset Shift: This is a Time to Adapt, Not Just React
Healthcare businesses that pivot now will come out stronger, more independent, and more financially secure.
Instead of waiting for NHS contract changes, dentists and pharmacists should start diversifying income streams and prioritising private patient care.
Building a trusted brand, expanding services, and leveraging digital marketing will be key to thriving in this new landscape.
The decision to abolish NHS England marks a significant shift in the administration of healthcare services in England. While the intention is to reduce bureaucracy and redirect funds to frontline services, the transition must be handled with care to avoid unintended consequences, especially for sectors already under strain, such as dental practices and pharmacies.
Stakeholders, including professional bodies like the BDA and RPS, are advocating for thoughtful implementation to ensure that the restructuring leads to genuine improvements in patient care without compromising the stability of essential services.
As this transformation unfolds, it will be crucial for healthcare professionals and policymakers to collaborate closely, ensuring that the voices of those on the front lines are heard and that the ultimate goal—a more efficient and patient-centred NHS—is achieved.
Note: This article is based on information available as of March 14, 2025. Developments may have occurred since this date. Source: Sky News
Next Steps: Future-Proof Your Business
If you’re a dental practice or pharmacy owner wondering how to pivot strategically, we’re here to help. Book A Discovery Call.
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