Tough times, tough choices: Being open and honest about NHS finance
The NHS is in an unprecedented financial predicament. Demand for healthcare continues to grow at a rate that current funding will struggle to match. The UK is not alone in facing such significant challenges – every health system across the developed world has similar problems. We have so far avoided the open and meaningful conversation needed with the public about how the NHS should confront these pressures and the consequences they could have on the future of health services in Britain.
This report addresses this ‘missing dialogue’ by being open and honest about NHS finances and the tough choices ahead. It sets out the choices which need to be considered as part of the effort to guarantee the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable health services in the years to come.
The analysis in this report focuses on services provided in England. Decisions to be made in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be dependent on the devolved administrations and the priorities set in their jurisdictions.
This report focuses primarily on healthcare services – issues for social care have previously been explored in the NHS Confederation briefing Papering over the cracks. It is clear that the need to increase funding for social care services will put a greater strain on resources available for health, while unmet social care needs are likely to further increase demand for health services.
This report sets out options, not solutions. None of the options are pain-free, and some may prove too difficult to swallow. However, the public will be better placed to understand and engage in a national debate if we are open about what needs to happen, where, and why.
Published : 20th March 2013
Publisher : NHS Confederation [ More From This Publisher ]
Rights : NHS Confederation
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