Over the past 15 years the NHS has performed remarkably well
Cancer survival is at its highest ever, elective surgery waiting times have been cut from 18 months to 18 weeks, and public satisfaction with the NHS has nearly doubled.1
However, despite almost £20 billion of efficiency improvements, the system is showing strain, both financially and in terms of performance. We are faced with the challenges of a growing and ageing population with greater prevalence of long-term conditions, 5 years of protected but nearly flat funding, rising costs attributable in part to expensive new drugs and treatments, in addition to growing expectations; all converging to a crucial inflection point for the NHS.
Change we must. And not alone
To address these challenges the NHS needs the next government and the public to support changes as they happen; a cross-sectoral responsibility for the health of our population, fitness of …