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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/20/nhs-buckling-under-mismatch-of-demand-and-funding-says-report
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| NHS buckling under mismatch of demand and funding, says report NHS buckling under mismatch of demand and funding, says report | |
| (8 days later) | |
| The NHS in England is buckling under a mismatch between soaring demand for care and levels of funding, a thinktank has warned. The King’s Fund said the number of admissions to hospital were rising steeply and were outstripping increases in the health service budget. | The NHS in England is buckling under a mismatch between soaring demand for care and levels of funding, a thinktank has warned. The King’s Fund said the number of admissions to hospital were rising steeply and were outstripping increases in the health service budget. |
| Hospital admissions have increased 3.6% a year since 2003-4. A&E attendances, referrals to outpatient services and diagnostic tests have also increased, it added. But since 2010, this increased activity has coincided with a prolonged funding squeeze, a the King’s Fund report states. | Hospital admissions have increased 3.6% a year since 2003-4. A&E attendances, referrals to outpatient services and diagnostic tests have also increased, it added. But since 2010, this increased activity has coincided with a prolonged funding squeeze, a the King’s Fund report states. |
| Between 2010-11 and 2014-15, funding increases “slowed significantly”, averaging 1.2% each year, compared with average increases of 4.8% a year between 2003-04 and 2010-11, the authors said. As a result of this mismatch between funding and activity, plans for the health service in the coming years could be in jeopardy, the report warns. | Between 2010-11 and 2014-15, funding increases “slowed significantly”, averaging 1.2% each year, compared with average increases of 4.8% a year between 2003-04 and 2010-11, the authors said. As a result of this mismatch between funding and activity, plans for the health service in the coming years could be in jeopardy, the report warns. |
| The NHS Five Year Forward View sets out a plan for meeting the projected gap between funding and demand – but the authors said: “Failure to moderate the rise in demand for hospital care … highlights the challenges in delivering the Forward View.” | The NHS Five Year Forward View sets out a plan for meeting the projected gap between funding and demand – but the authors said: “Failure to moderate the rise in demand for hospital care … highlights the challenges in delivering the Forward View.” |
| It also warned that the “squeeze on spending” is set to tighten further over the coming years, with 1.1% growth in 2017-18, no growth in real terms funding in 2018-19 and only 0.4% in 2019-20. | It also warned that the “squeeze on spending” is set to tighten further over the coming years, with 1.1% growth in 2017-18, no growth in real terms funding in 2018-19 and only 0.4% in 2019-20. |
| Chris Ham, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “The NHS is treating more patients than ever before, which is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of its staff. | Chris Ham, chief executive of the King’s Fund, said: “The NHS is treating more patients than ever before, which is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of its staff. |
| “However, our analysis provides more evidence that the health system is buckling under the strain of trying to meet rising demand and maintain standards of care within constrained resources. | “However, our analysis provides more evidence that the health system is buckling under the strain of trying to meet rising demand and maintain standards of care within constrained resources. |
| “With the gap between funding and hospital activity set to grow over the next few years, the NHS needs to do everything it can to moderate demand for hospital care. | “With the gap between funding and hospital activity set to grow over the next few years, the NHS needs to do everything it can to moderate demand for hospital care. |
| “We know that some of this demand can be avoided if alternative services are available – the challenge is to provide the right care in the right place at the right time, and to ensure hospitals are only used when necessary and appropriate. | “We know that some of this demand can be avoided if alternative services are available – the challenge is to provide the right care in the right place at the right time, and to ensure hospitals are only used when necessary and appropriate. |
| “This means increasing investment in community services to provide more care closer to people’s homes and focusing on prevention to reduce the need for treatment in the first place.” | “This means increasing investment in community services to provide more care closer to people’s homes and focusing on prevention to reduce the need for treatment in the first place.” |