In a significant move towards healthcare reform, Tom Kibasi has been appointed by the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to provide expert advice and support in crafting the government's ambitious 10-Year Health Plan.
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare sector, Kibasi's expertise is set to play a pivotal role in delivering the government's vision for a better health service.
Kibasi's direct ministerial appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. He will support the department in transforming innovative ideas from patients and frontline staff into actionable strategies, aiming to achieve the government's three major shifts: transitioning from hospital-centric care to community-based care, advancing from analogue systems to digital solutions, and prioritising prevention over treatment.
Speaking about his appointment, Kibasi said:
“The independent investigation was a devastating diagnosis of the problems that patients, the public, and hard-working NHS staff experience every day.
“Since then, there has been a remarkable process of public, staff and expert engagement on the 10 Year Health Plan. There is now huge energy and expectation about the vision that it will set for both the service and for the health of the nation.”
As the joint chair of three mental health and community NHS trusts, Kibasi has been at the forefront of efforts to enhance the quality of care and keep patients well within their communities. Since joining the board of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in 2016, he has championed the sharing of best practices through a new Board-in-Common and a common framework for quality of care, access to services, finance, and productivity. This wealth of experience will be instrumental in realising the government's goal of shifting healthcare from hospitals to the community.
Kibasi's contributions to healthcare are well-documented. He led the drafting and analysis for Lord Ara Darzi's independent investigation into the state of the NHS, which reported in September 2024. The investigation highlighted the NHS's critical condition amidst surging waiting lists and deteriorating national health. Early in his career, Kibasi served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Lord Darzi for his landmark 2008 review of the NHS, "High Quality Care for All."
The 10-Year Health Plan, spearheaded by Kibasi, aims to create a sustainable and efficient healthcare system that meets the needs of the UK's population. With his extensive experience and commitment to healthcare excellence, Kibasi is well-positioned to drive this transformative agenda forward.
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