Our Strategy 2026-29

The BGS has published its Strategic Plan to guide its work over the next three years from April 2026. The population of the UK is ageing. People are generally living longer but often have complex health conditions in older age. Health systems need to be redesigned around those who use services the most: older people with long-term conditions, including frailty and dementia. There is a strong evidence base for what high-quality joined-up care for older people looks like. This Strategic Plan sets out how the BGS will contribute to scaling up evidence-based practice so that all older people can expect, and experience, good care.

Our vision is of a society where all older people receive high-quality, personalised care when and where they need it. This means enabling and supporting older people to lead independent, healthy, happy lives in their communities for as long as possible.

Our mission is to improve healthcare for older people. This means supporting the multiprofessional workforce who deliver that care with education, training, clinical resources, research evidence and the networks and commitment of a strong community. It also means influencing how health systems and policies are designed and implemented.

From 2026-29, the BGS will work with others to deliver five strategic outcomes. We bring expertise, constructive solutions and the power of our membership community to the task.

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Below is a summary of the key points. Read the full Strategic Plan here: BGS Strategic Plan 2026-29

1. A health system fit for purpose

We will contribute to the transformational change needed to modernise the NHS for the current and future older people who use its services.
We will advocate for national, regional and local commissioners in the four countries of the UK to implement models of care and services for older people set out in evidence-based reports such as the BGS Blueprint.
We will demonstrate through research and practice how integrated, person-centred, frailty-attuned care delivers better health outcomes, improved system flow and more efficient use of resources.
We will champion technology, digital and AI developments which enable better care for older people.

2. Healthy ageing for all

We will support healthy ageing, proactive and rehabilitation interventions that help older people stay well for longer.
Most people die in older age and we will campaign for better palliative and end of life care; should assisted dying become legal, we will work constructively to protect the interests of older people and the workforce who care for them.
We will stand up for older people’s rights, challenging ageism, and helping our members to deliver equitable, sustainable care.

3. The right care in the right place

Most older people live at home and we will help improve care for older people delivered by neighbourhood, community and primary care services.
We will advocate for better hospital care through front door frailty services, best use of the workforce, value-adding interactions and timely discharge.
We will promote realistic, holistic care built around what matters to the individual and shared decision-making.
We will work with partners to advocate for a sustainable solution to the social care crisis.

4. High standards of care

We will curate, produce and share practical guidance, insights and examples that improve the quality of care for older people, especially those living with frailty and dementia.
We will support the generation and dissemination of robust research and evidence, via our international high-impact academic journal, Age and Ageing.
We will communicate the basics of good care of older people to the wider workforce beyond our membership.

5. A workforce skilled to meet the needs of older people

We will make the case for recruitment, retention, development and support of the specialist workforce.
We will deliver high-quality education and learning for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals through a range of online and in-person means.
We will support career development and leadership, and nurture the wellbeing of our workforce and the pride our members take in their work.

We will support delivery of our Strategic Plan by:

Strengthening our membership, increasing numbers and engagement.
Working with partners and allies to achieve common goals.
Innovating and sharing the benefits of technical and digital opportunities to enable better care.
Increasing the sustainability of our business model, generating additional income and managing costs prudently.
Using our voice and brand to speak up for older people, share expertise and offer constructive and credible solutions to health system challenges.
Developing a plan for international engagement based on impact, member value and sustainable funding.
Harnessing our values and the unique strengths of our 5600 multidisciplinary members working in all care settings across the 4 countries of the UK.
Adapting to the changing NHS environment and the opportunities for transforming care of older people.

We invite you to be part of our ambitious plans to transform healthcare for older people over the period of our 2026-29 Strategic Plan.

Development of the Plan

During the course of 2025, we consulted members, committees, officers and other key stakeholders through engagement activities including a member survey, workshops and interactive sessions at our national meetings.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this process and helped shape the future direction of the BGS. You can read more about the results of our member survey and an analysis of its findings here.