19 Not Addressed

Reinstate annual physical health check target for SMI and embed health outcomes in Modern Service Framework.

Recommendation
NHS England should reinstate the annual physical health check target for people with severe mental illness (SMI) in operational planning guidance. This target has driven significant progress and remains essential for accountability, monitoring co-morbidities, and reducing preventable deaths. Building on this, the Modern Service Framework must include physical health outcomes and interventions for people with SMI as a core component. This should cover annual checks, tailored follow-up care, and mechanisms for monitoring and improvement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 133) 77
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then responds by discussing staff retention, workforce pressures, and the 10 Year Workforce Plan, which are unrelated to the recommendation to reinstate physical health check targets for people with SMI or include physical health outcomes in the Modern Service Framework.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
The government partially accepts this recommendation. Staff retention is critical to ensuring continuity of care for people with SMI. Workforce pressures, including burnout and limited progression opportunities, are recognised challenges across mental health services. NHS staff told us through the 10 Year Health Plan engagement that they are crying out for change. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out how we will deliver that change by making sure that staff are better treated and have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future. We will also develop a set of staff standards so that all staff will be supported to work healthily and flexibly.
Addressee Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Report published 02 Dec 2025