The NHS is celebrating its 65th birthday, giving us all an opportunity to reflect on the invaluable care our National Health Service has provided to millions of people throughout its history. The situation the NHS faces today is very different from when it was established in 1948, with the ever rising cost of medicines and treatment and an aging population.
By 2015, the Government will have put an extra £12.5 billion into the NHS. Reductions in bureaucracy have saved £4.5million, which is being reinvested in frontline services. Since we took office, we have delivered over 1300 more mid-wives and 5700 more doctors and 6894 fewer managers. Rates of infection in hospitals have halved. Mixed sex wards have been almost completely eliminated. And a new £650 million cancer drug fund has helped over 30,000 people access the latest in cancer treatments.
It’s essential that lessons are learned from the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal where targets became more important than patient care. So a new Chief Inspector of Hospitals has been appointed who will spearhead work to drive up the quality and enforce essential standards.
A&E departments are under pressure, including here in Barnet. Over a million more people visiting A&E compared to three years ago. There are many reasons for this, including access to and people’s confidence in out of hours care and increasing numbers of people with long-term conditions.
NHS England has freed up more money to provide immediate help. Renowned surgeon, Bruce Keogh, is leading a review on longer term solutions. For example, if we can improve services for frail older people this will reduce pressure on A&E. Better coordination between the NHS services and the adult care provided by local councils will help. Starting with 10 pioneer pilot schemes, we have launched the biggest ever commitment to co-ordinated care.