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State of the NHS: Wales v England | State of the NHS: Wales v England |
(about 1 hour later) | |
It's like a rugby international - with politicians from Westminster and Cardiff tearing into rucks and mauls in the increasingly acrimonious health debate. | It's like a rugby international - with politicians from Westminster and Cardiff tearing into rucks and mauls in the increasingly acrimonious health debate. |
Each side has found data to back up its claims, with the Conservatives anxious to show that the Labour-run NHS in Wales is in decline and the Welsh administration accusing the Tories of distorting the facts. | Each side has found data to back up its claims, with the Conservatives anxious to show that the Labour-run NHS in Wales is in decline and the Welsh administration accusing the Tories of distorting the facts. |
But away from the political playing field, what is the truth about the NHS in Wales? | But away from the political playing field, what is the truth about the NHS in Wales? |
As always, it is a complex picture not easily reduced to simple conclusions and soundbites. The political parties, however, are likely to continue to exchange blows over the issue as the general election approaches. | As always, it is a complex picture not easily reduced to simple conclusions and soundbites. The political parties, however, are likely to continue to exchange blows over the issue as the general election approaches. |
The latest accident and emergency waiting times reveal that Wales is still lagging behind England. | The latest accident and emergency waiting times reveal that Wales is still lagging behind England. |
The figures for January show 82.8% of patients being seen within four hours, up from 81% in December but still well short of the 95% target. | |
In England the comparable figure was 90.8%. January data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is not yet available. | In England the comparable figure was 90.8%. January data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is not yet available. |
Ambulance response performance in Wales has also fallen short of the equivalent figure in England. | Ambulance response performance in Wales has also fallen short of the equivalent figure in England. |
Trade-off | Trade-off |
Another batch of health data today, though, looks more favourable for Wales. | Another batch of health data today, though, looks more favourable for Wales. |
The proportion of cancer patients whose treatment began within 62 days of being referred by a GP rose to 88% in the final three months of 2014. That compares with 83.8% of patients in England. The Welsh government's target is 95% while England's is 85%. | The proportion of cancer patients whose treatment began within 62 days of being referred by a GP rose to 88% in the final three months of 2014. That compares with 83.8% of patients in England. The Welsh government's target is 95% while England's is 85%. |
Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies sheds new light on the decisions made by the different administrations. | Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies sheds new light on the decisions made by the different administrations. |
The IFS says that between 2010 and the current financial year, health spending in England rose by 4.3% while the Welsh government cut its health budget by 2%. | The IFS says that between 2010 and the current financial year, health spending in England rose by 4.3% while the Welsh government cut its health budget by 2%. |
But for social care provided by local authorities, there was a sharp drop in England of 11.5%, while in Wales the equivalent budget was reduced by just 0.8%. | But for social care provided by local authorities, there was a sharp drop in England of 11.5%, while in Wales the equivalent budget was reduced by just 0.8%. |
Cardiff in effect had decided its own trade-off between spending on the NHS and social care which was different from England's. | Cardiff in effect had decided its own trade-off between spending on the NHS and social care which was different from England's. |
The Welsh government argues that protecting social care spending as much as possible has allowed more efficient transfers of patients back to the community from hospital beds. | The Welsh government argues that protecting social care spending as much as possible has allowed more efficient transfers of patients back to the community from hospital beds. |
Bigger challenge | Bigger challenge |
Data on delayed transfers of care analysed by the Nuffield Trust reveals contrasting stories in England and Wales. They were up by a third in England between 2011 and 2014, but down slightly in Wales over the same period. | Data on delayed transfers of care analysed by the Nuffield Trust reveals contrasting stories in England and Wales. They were up by a third in England between 2011 and 2014, but down slightly in Wales over the same period. |
A familiar argument in Wales is that a legacy of industrial-related diseases and deprivation in some areas has created a bigger challenge for its NHS than for the health service in England. | A familiar argument in Wales is that a legacy of industrial-related diseases and deprivation in some areas has created a bigger challenge for its NHS than for the health service in England. |
The Nuffield Trust has pointed that, because of these factors, a direct comparison between Wales and England is not useful. | The Nuffield Trust has pointed that, because of these factors, a direct comparison between Wales and England is not useful. |
Better, says Nuffield, to compare Wales with the north east of England (where spending per head on health is higher than in Wales). | Better, says Nuffield, to compare Wales with the north east of England (where spending per head on health is higher than in Wales). |
The debate will continue until polling day and beyond, although it may be less intense after May. | The debate will continue until polling day and beyond, although it may be less intense after May. |
It is worth pointing out that the general election in 2015 is all about electing parties to run health policy in England. | It is worth pointing out that the general election in 2015 is all about electing parties to run health policy in England. |
Elections for the devolved administrations and who runs their health services won't take place till next year. | Elections for the devolved administrations and who runs their health services won't take place till next year. |