Anatomy of success: Digitising the NHS by 2035

Anatomy of success
By Sasjkia Otto
Published 11 March 2026
Topics Health , Artificial intelligence

Every government since New Labour has pledged that innovation will revolutionise the NHS. Yet despite these claims that technology will fix public services, there has been no shortage of tech firms pitching their products as the cure.

Many observers, however, have grown wary after repeated attempts at digitisation have either overpromised or underdelivered. This scepticism has fuelled accusations of “hype” around claims about what new technologies can deliver for patients. More recently, with the rise of AI, concerns have emerged that poorly implemented technology could exacerbate health inequalities and even harm patients.

This paper draws on previous lessons from past health service modernisation initiatives. It identifies key decisions the government must get right, if it wants to achieve its health goals over the next decade and deliver world-class care to all.

Download now

Sasjkia Otto

Sasjkia Otto is a senior researcher at the Fabian Society

@sasjkia

kindly supported by

Our publications

View All

Building skills

Tackling the built environment skills crisis

This report examines the workforce and skills crisis facing the sector, with a particular focus on both the construction industry and engineering and building services trades. It sets out key policy recommendations to address the crisis and outlines ...

Status critical

Why employment status reform is essential to making work pay

Drawing on three focus groups with freelancers, gig economy workers and other self-employed people, Luke Raikes and Morgan Bestwick investigate the specific problems with employment status and set out a roadmap for addressing the most pressing issues...

Common Endeavour

Building a stronger Britain

In this series of essays, Labour MPs from across the ‘broad centre’ of the party set out how Labour can apply its values to the problems we face in the second quarter of the 21st century. The collection centres around four generational challenges: af...

Uneven ground

How to rebuild Labour's electoral coalition

In this pamphlet, drawing on British Election Study data, James Prentice examines why Labour has struggled to hold together its 2024 coalition and sets out how a new progressive coalition can be built.

Pressing Reset

Our future with Europe

Rejoining the EU is not an immediate prospect. But in an increasingly uncertain world – and with public opinion in favour of greater cooperation – now is the time to revisit our relationship with our European allies. This collection brings together e...

Care to Share

Building the National Care Service

In this pamphlet, which features a foreword by the former secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting MP, experts and policymakers identify the decisions the government will need to get right to build a National Health Service.

Housing the future

How Scotland can build again

This report sets out how the next Scottish government should use its powers to deliver a significant increase in housebuilding rates and tackle high housing costs. It analyses the main impacts of the housing emergency, and examines why Scotland hasn’...

Adopt, innovate, transform

How civil servants can help deliver a smarter state using AI

Drawing on survey data and insights from three focus groups, this report examines the challenges civil servants face in shaping the government’s AI agenda. It sets out five priorities to help address these challenges and unlock the full potential of ...

The people's pools

A Labour plan to build Lidos

Published in June 2026, amid record-breaking temperatures, this pamphlet aims to create tangible community assets, strengthen local democracy and “pride in place,” and give Labour a modern equivalent of one of its most iconic historical achievements.

Forward Planning

A vision of ageing at home

This report sets out how the government can ensure that owner-occupiers are able to age well in their own home. It identifies the scale of the challenge faced by older owner-occupiers, the barriers to improving housing, and the case for action. The r...

Whose Capital?

The case for building democratic accountability into Britain’s pension system

Featuring a foreword from Liam Byrne MP, this report sees Catherine Howarth make the case for stronger member representation and greater transparency across the pensions system. She sets out proposals for rebuilding trust in pension institutions and ...

Pathways to apprenticeships

Fixing England's pre-apprenticeship system

The government is seeking both to reverse the dramatic decline in young apprentices seen over the last decade and to reduce the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training.

Strengthening pre-apprenticeship pathways coul...

Join the Fabian Society today and help shape the future of the left

You’ll receive the quarterly Fabian Review and at least four reports or pamphlets each year sent to your door

Be a part of the debate at Fabian conferences and events and join one of our network of local Fabian societies

Join the Fabian Society

Be the first to know

Sign up to the free Fabian Society newsletter

Find out about the latest Fabian Society research, publications and events with our regular updates

Fabian Society