The care minister Stephen Kinnock has visited Reading to launch a huge consultation on the future of the NHS, with the politician calling a local surgery a "fantastic" example for others to follow. 

Mr Kinnock has visited the Melrose Surgery in Alexandra Road to kick-start the new nation-wide consultation about the government's ten year plan for the NHS. 

Anyone can take and share their views online via change.NHS.uk until the start of next year.

Speaking at the Melrose Surgery, Mr Kinnock said: "It's been really impressive how they are reforming the way they work. 

"It's a fantastic example of what we want to do right across the country, which is take the learnings and good practice out across the rest of the country. 

"And that's going to be the driving purpose of our big national conversation that we're launching today."

Melrose Surgery has been working to respond to a long-running critical feedback from patients, with repeated complaints about problems of reaching the surgery on the phone. 

Now staff have created what they hope is a more streamlined online and in-person triage system, which is monitored by doctors and other medical professionals. 

Kathrine Priddis, a research nurse who has been based at the surgery over the last year and a half at the surgery, said the government's new consultation was an "exciting" chance to reform the NHS.

She said: "More money would be nice - but it's also about doing things wisely."

Asif Awan, a pharmacist for six years at the surgery, agreed: "Since Covid, tech has come to the forefront. It's making life easier.

"So it's about finding similar technology we can use."

The surgery has also invested in a machine to check blood pressure that aims to make blood pressure appointments quicker and simpler to book. 

The government's plan, expected to be published in spring 2025, will also see greater use of data and technology, with easier sharing of patient data, saving an estimated 140,000 hours of staff time every year.

Mr Kinnock said: "We're going to shift from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention, and we're going to shift from analogue to digital. 

"The conversation is about what are the choices and trade offs to deliver those big shifts to have a ten year plan fit for the future."

The work to reform the NHS was "personal" for the care minister, who spoke about the support his mother, Glenys Kinnock, Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead, received shortly before her death in December last year. 

He said: "I sadly lost my mother to Alzheimer's. 

"I will never forget the amazing care that she received.

"It's something that's difficult to put into words.

"Like millions and millions of people across the country, you start to rely on others to look after someone you love. It's something you never forget.

"So for me its personal. Everyone has a story - everyone has been touched by our health and care system."

Announcing the consultation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “My mum worked for the NHS, my sister worked for the NHS, and my wife still works for the NHS – so I know first-hand how difficult it has been for staff, and for patients battling against a broken system for over a decade.

"But it’s time to roll up our sleeves and fix it.

“We have a clear plan to fix the health service, but it’s only right that we hear from the people who rely on the NHS every day to have their say and shape our plan as we deliver it.

“Together we can build a healthcare system that puts patients first and delivers the care that everyone deserves."