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Theresa May must wake up to the crisis facing the NHS Theresa May must wake up to the crisis facing the NHS
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May has told Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, that the health service will get no extra money, despite rapidly escalating problems that have led to warnings from the British Medical Association that hospitals are close to breaking point.Theresa May has told Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, that the health service will get no extra money, despite rapidly escalating problems that have led to warnings from the British Medical Association that hospitals are close to breaking point.
The NHS is now at a more pivotal stage than it has ever been since I became a GP more than 30 years ago. The financial squeeze on health services will get much tighter over the next five years, with spending per person on the NHS falling by 9% (pdf).The NHS is now at a more pivotal stage than it has ever been since I became a GP more than 30 years ago. The financial squeeze on health services will get much tighter over the next five years, with spending per person on the NHS falling by 9% (pdf).
In 2014, the Institute for Fiscal Studies predicted that even if the NHS budget remained protected from cuts, the growth in population would lead to big real terms cuts. The myth that the NHS budget is protected is over. Even if health spending continued to rise with inflation, as it has since 2010, age-adjusted spending per person would be 9% lower in 2018 (pdf) than in 2010. On top of this, Jeremy Hunt wants the NHS to save £22bn by 2020.In 2014, the Institute for Fiscal Studies predicted that even if the NHS budget remained protected from cuts, the growth in population would lead to big real terms cuts. The myth that the NHS budget is protected is over. Even if health spending continued to rise with inflation, as it has since 2010, age-adjusted spending per person would be 9% lower in 2018 (pdf) than in 2010. On top of this, Jeremy Hunt wants the NHS to save £22bn by 2020.
These “efficiency savings” are unfeasible and dangerous and will push an NHS already teetering on the brink right over the cliff edge. If Hunt wants to save money, abolishing wasteful internal/external health markets and renegotiating private finance initiatives would be a good start.These “efficiency savings” are unfeasible and dangerous and will push an NHS already teetering on the brink right over the cliff edge. If Hunt wants to save money, abolishing wasteful internal/external health markets and renegotiating private finance initiatives would be a good start.
The NHS has not faced this level of challenge in its history. The universal care it provides is in danger of becoming unsustainable. The dire prospect is that the NHS will have to ration treatment, shut hospital units, close GP surgeries and cut staff if it gets no extra money soon.The NHS has not faced this level of challenge in its history. The universal care it provides is in danger of becoming unsustainable. The dire prospect is that the NHS will have to ration treatment, shut hospital units, close GP surgeries and cut staff if it gets no extra money soon.
Already, one in five patients are waiting a week or more to see their GP, or not getting an appointment at all, and thousands of patients wait hours in A&E and on hospital trolleys. The answer to the funding crisis would be a firm commitment to get funding levels back to the EU average on health spending. The prime minister might say it depends on a strong economy, but I would say it depends on your commitment to the NHS.Already, one in five patients are waiting a week or more to see their GP, or not getting an appointment at all, and thousands of patients wait hours in A&E and on hospital trolleys. The answer to the funding crisis would be a firm commitment to get funding levels back to the EU average on health spending. The prime minister might say it depends on a strong economy, but I would say it depends on your commitment to the NHS.
By reappointing Hunt as health secretary, May has signalled that she endorses the imposition of an unsafe junior doctors’ contract, an unaffordable seven-day service, rock bottom staff morale, a decline in general practice and the ideologically driven privatisation of the NHS.By reappointing Hunt as health secretary, May has signalled that she endorses the imposition of an unsafe junior doctors’ contract, an unaffordable seven-day service, rock bottom staff morale, a decline in general practice and the ideologically driven privatisation of the NHS.
Meanwhile, May is the architect of the minimum salary for immigrants who have lived in the UK for less than 10 years (the threshold is at least £35,000), if they want to continue to stay. The points-based immigration system she advocates would mean the low-skilled migrant workers who form the backbone of the care sector would be denied entry to Britain.Meanwhile, May is the architect of the minimum salary for immigrants who have lived in the UK for less than 10 years (the threshold is at least £35,000), if they want to continue to stay. The points-based immigration system she advocates would mean the low-skilled migrant workers who form the backbone of the care sector would be denied entry to Britain.
This would hugely impact on the recruitment of nurses and para-medical staff in the NHS. If she means what she says, that she loves the NHS, May needs to This would hugely impact on the recruitment of nurses and para-medical staff in the NHS. If she means what she says, that she loves the NHS, May needs to wake up to the crisis in the NHS. A failing NHS will only help to boost private healthcare insurance for those who can afford it, signalling the death knell for a universal healthcare service, free at the point of use.
wake up to the crisis in the NHS. A failing NHS will only help to boost private healthcare insurance for those who can afford it, signalling the death knell for a universal healthcare service, free at the point of use.
But, this is perhaps what she wants. Praise poured from the prime minister in her speech to Tory party conference in Birmingham – bidding to be “the party of the NHS”. But as she showed no sign of confronting the health service crisis, in practice she is undermining it.But, this is perhaps what she wants. Praise poured from the prime minister in her speech to Tory party conference in Birmingham – bidding to be “the party of the NHS”. But as she showed no sign of confronting the health service crisis, in practice she is undermining it.
The gap between policy rhetoric and reality has never been starker. The British public deserves nothing less than a well-financed and functional health service with happy and productive staff. I call on Theresa May to provide immediate clarity on the fiscal health of the NHS.The gap between policy rhetoric and reality has never been starker. The British public deserves nothing less than a well-financed and functional health service with happy and productive staff. I call on Theresa May to provide immediate clarity on the fiscal health of the NHS.
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