Today The King's Fund have published a new report on the rise and decline of
the NHS in England 2000–20. It is the personal work of the
former chief executive Sir Chris Ham.
The key messages include:
- Multi-year funding increases above the long-term average and
a series of reforms resulted in major improvements in NHS
performance between 2000 and 2010.
- Performance has declined since 2010 as a result of much lower
funding increases, limited funds for capital investment, and
neglect of workforce planning.
- The coalition government (2010–15) and successive
Conservative governments since then have failed to heed the
warning signs of deteriorating performance and preferred to use
short-term fixes rather than seek long-term solution.
- The improvements that occurred between 2000 and 2010
demonstrate that the NHS is capable of reform if the political
will exists and if governments take a long-term perspective.
- NHS revenue funding should increase in line with the
long-term average. There should be realistic targets for
efficiency savings, and spending on capital, education and
training, and public health should be given priority.
- Gaps in social care funding must be filled and there must be
fundamental changes to social care funding and provision.
- Priority must be given to investing in primary care and
community services in order to anticipate people’s needs, promote
independence and offer alternatives to hospitals.
- There must be a credible and fully funded workforce plan for
the NHS and, ideally, social care.
- There should be a sustained commitment to prevention and
early intervention, both in the NHS and in other public services,
to tackle the wider determinants of health and reduce
inequalities.
We hope you find this a useful resource.
