10.10.12
Hunt prioritises elderly care, but lacks details on Dilnot
The health sector has responded to health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s first speech in his role, welcoming his focus on our changing demographics, but urged caution about the proposed heavier regulation of managers.
Speaking at the Conservative party conference, Hunt spoke of how the NHS must change to meet the needs of elderly patients, a need for greater compassion, a move from hospital-delivered care to care in the community, and suggested that managers must be held accountable for trust’s failures.
Anna Dixon, director of policy at The King’s Fund, said: “The health and social care system has failed to keep pace with changing health needs, especially for frail older people with multiple conditions, so Jeremy Hunt’s commitment to making care for older people a key priority is welcome.”
She said this must go “hand-in-hand” with reform of social care, and urged Hunt to give details on how the Dilnot proposals will be implemented and paid for.
Dixon also warned that “the Government must not rush to introduce regulation of managers…Regulation must support good governance and effective leadership within providers.”
David Worskett, director of the NHS Partners Network, agreed that the NHS would be best delivered by a “diverse” range of providers and said: “If we want to go forward with a truly robust healthcare system that can meet the demands of tomorrow it is imperative that a wider range of providers are allowed to drive quality and innovation and the independent sector is able to support the NHS.”
Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, commented on the focus on elderly people: “We need the Government to be fully behind us as we address these challenges. They have serious implications for where and how we provide services as we move care out of hospital into the community. We need all politicians to stay the course as we explain these issues and debate the solutions with the public.”
He added that it was “absolutely right” to highlight the need for greater kindness and compassion within the NHS, but cautioned that increased regulation on managers must not “represent a heavy-handed and disproportionate response that takes time and money away from patient care for little benefit”.
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