19.06.18
NHS long-term funding: May sets out five-year plan, RCGP says GPs must receive ‘substantial share’
The prime minister has outlined how she plans to commit the recently announced extra £20bn a year for the NHS by 2023, highlighting cancer care, integration of social care, and improved to mental health services as key areas of priority for the funding.
Following her announcement yesterday dubbed by health and social care secretary as a “fitting birthday present” for the NHS, the health service will receive an average of 3.4%-- lower than the target 4% annual increase demanded by the Health Foundation and NHS Confederation to continue to improve medical services— annually, as part of the NHS’s new 10-year long-term plan.
Part of the services targeted by the new funding will be “getting back on the path” to delivering target performance standards to focus on the prevention of ill-health, so British healthcare users can live longer.
Transformation of cancer care so patient outcomes move towards the best in Europe, and improved health and social care integration will also be focused on by the Department for Health and Social Care going forward.
Reforms and boosting of funds to social care— a highly publicised department that Hunt said could be left out of the extra funding— will be addressed “later this year,” the government has said.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said: “This historic long-term funding boost recognises the superhuman efforts made by staff over the last few years to maintain services in the face of rapidly growing demand. But it also presents a big opportunity for the NHS to write an entirely new chapter in its history.
“The debate over Brexit can be divisive, but that famous campaign promise can now unite us all: the British public voted for £350m a week for the NHS, and that – and more - is exactly what this government will deliver.”
‘It is essential that general practice is recognized’
Chair of the Royal College of GPs Helen Stokes-Lampard said: "Her pledge represents a significant amount of money and this is certainly encouraging. It is essential that as more details of her long-term plan are announced, general practice is recognised for the vital role it plays in delivering safe, effective patient care in the community, and keeping the entire NHS sustainable.”
"The 3.4% real terms increase in investment is to be welcomed. The RCGP believes that the NHS can survive another 70 years, and beyond, but that will depend on a robust general practice service - the Prime Minister has the power to ensure this, and we urge her, in the strongest possible terms, to use it."