New report highlights challenges for NHS ahead of its 75th Anniversary
The NHS Assembly has published a report "The NHS in England at 75: priorities for the future."
It says the health service faces significant workforce and estates challenges, but it should be “emboldened by the resolve and agility it showed during the pandemic.”
The NHS Assembly, which is an independent advisory group established in 2019, consulted staff, patient groups, carers, charities, and partners in health and social care for the report launched ahead of the 75th anniversary of the health service on 5 July.
The Assembly's analysis found that the NHS should now focus on three key areas:
- preventing poor health. An example of this is by moving funding to prevent and manage coronary heart disease and other causes of poor health, such as smoking and obesity.
- creating more personalised care which better responds to patients views. This ensures people have control in planning their own care.
- coordinated care closer to home, including by strengthening General Practice.
The report was co-authored by Professor Dame Clare Gerada and Professor Sir Chris Ham. The analysis notes the demands on the health service are far greater now than when the NHS was founded with almost 3.5 million more people aged over 75 compared to 1948.
Response from Healthwatch
Louise Ansari, NHS Assembly member and Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said:
"Seventy-five years after the NHS's foundation, public support for its founding principles remains rock solid. People want good care available to all, which is free and based on need, not ability.
“This anniversary year should be one of appreciation for all the NHS has done. But, with our society facing significant challenges, we must also reflect on what needs to change. How can the service do more to deliver joined-up care closer to home, which gives patients more control and involves them in the decisions that affect them? This report helps highlight where the public wants the NHS to focus to make sure that it is fit for the future and delivers good care for everyone."
