1/12 NHS Providers official reaction to PM interview on @MarrShow and today’s NHS funding announcement here: nhsproviders.org/news-blogs/new…. Our reaction is summarised as “we welcome new funding but difficult choices on NHS priorities remain”.
2/12 Any view of today’s NHS funding announcement will depend on comparisons made. Compared to other public services, general economic climate and increases of last 8 years, @Jeremy_Hunt has done a great job for NHS and we need to clearly welcome and acknowledge that.
3/12 Today’s NHS funding announcement has a front loaded profile (3.65%, 3.65%, 3%, 3%, 3% real terms increases to frontline NHS budget over next five years, 3.4% average). This should help the NHS as it will give the service a better chance to recover performance more quickly.
4/12 Those other comparisons….today’s NHS funding announcement compared to long term NHS funding average, and what the NHS needs, look more difficult. Long run NHS real terms annual average funding increases 1948-2018 = +3.7% compared to today’s +3.4% for next five years.
5/12 …NHS funding needs. We encapsulate as NHS over next 5 years needing annual real terms increases of +3 to 3.5% to stand still; +4% to recover performance and fill gaps; and +5% to transform and do lot better. But we always suspected final result likely to be in 3-4% range.
6/12 NHS funding announcement – need to see detail and how rest of @DHSCgovuk budget fares in the forthcoming spending review. But understand there’s commitment rest of budget will not be cut and @Jeremy_Hunt clearly realises central importance of public health, training etc.
7/12 Important that Government does sustainably sort social care funding in forthcoming spending review. NHS and social care are intimately intertwined and co-dependent. Welcome commitment that NHS will not be required to cover any additional pressures arising from social care.
8/12 NHS funding announcement: welcome the recognition that this isn’t just about money and that NHS needs a long term workforce strategy to match the long term growth in demand. Lots of trust CEOs say to us, have to have more staff to make best use of any extra funding.
9/12 NHS unding envelope always going to be Government decision. NHS plan must now set realistic performance and finance ask that takes account of current gaps and gives frontline a task they can actually deliver, unlike last few years. Trust input to & agreement of plan vital.
10/12 NHS funding announcement – we can only achieve the “reset” the NHS needs if we now set the NHS frontline a realistic task it can deliver. Must move away from last few years of inevitable failure to meet targets, however hard trusts work. A sensible plan is key!
11/12 NHS must stretch for as much efficiency gain as possible and Carter and GIRFT will help. But realism needed. EG Understand Govt think NHS can replicate avg gain of last 5 years versus less ambitious avg of last 20 years some experts believe more likely. Debate needed!
12/12 Right that Government should set some bold ambitious targets to improve NHS care if taxpayers asked to help pay for NHS funding increases But, again, need realism on how much extra can be delivered how quickly. Another area where new plan will require touch choices.
13/12(!) So, welcome significant extra funding; acknowledge great work by @Jeremy_Hunt; be realistic about how far extra £ will actually go; and, above all, now set sensible task for NHS frontline to get away from dismal cycle of failure to meet targets despite huge staff effort.
