Responding to the Spending Review, the chief executive of NHS
Providers, Daniel Elkeles said:
“The NHS was front and centre in today's spending round,
underscoring its importance to the health of the nation and the
economy.
“NHS trust leaders aren't taking the additional funding for
granted. Far from it.
“They know patients, taxpayers and ministers will rightly demand
more bang for their buck from the NHS through shorter waiting
times and better services.
“Trust leaders also know the NHS must work differently if it is
to create a health service fit for the future.
“They're up for the challenge. That's why they back the three
shifts from hospital to communities, sickness to prevention, and
analogue to digital.
“But politicians must give local leaders the freedom to lead.
They know their communities inside out.
“And with an ambitious 10-year health plan to transform the NHS
just weeks away from being unveiled and tough targets to improve
access to care right now, trust leaders will ask whether the
funding announced today enables the NHS to deliver everything
being asked of it.
“We need to have an honest conversation about what the NHS can
deliver now and in the future.
“Trust leaders see other key public services coming under huge
strain with less generous settlements, often leaving the NHS to
deal with the fall out.
“Once again, social care - which is in desperate need of
attention - hasn't been given the focus it needs. Leaving
patients and the public without appropriate care is a significant
blocker on progress for the NHS.
“And while extra capital investment in NHS technology and digital
transformation is long overdue, decades of under-investment mean
we must think outside the box when it comes to solving this
double whammy of under-strain public finances and an NHS estate
in desperate need of renewal.
“It's vital that all options are on the table, including
exploring ways of bringing private capital back into the NHS
which don't replicate the costly mistakes of PFI.
“Making these shifts a reality will require upfront investment.
The government – and the NHS – will face difficult decisions and
tough trade-offs in the coming years.”
