26.09.12
The case for change
More cuts are announced every day across the NHS, countered only by another organisation or report highlighting the dangers of reduced services and fewer staff.
The issue is in how such considerable savings can be achieved – a slash and burn approach is only going to reduce care and ultimately cost the NHS more in the long-term.
Service redesign is now acknowledged as necessary by the majority of the sector, but it is still a leap from this theory to the reality of a health service which works in a significantly different way.
The recommendations and warnings must be heeded; indeed they will help the NHS to find the best way forward and work to ensure the risks are mitigated as far as possible. But rising complaints and deepening deficits only serve to reiterate the need for whole-service change – the status quo is not acceptable and it cannot be sustained.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]