NHS Confederation warns on health cuts
pharmafile | October 19, 2010 | News story | | NHS, NHS Confederation, government
In the week of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the NHS Confederation has painted a dire picture of the effect of major cuts to the health service.
The body, which represents the majority of acute Trusts, warns the government that the NHS already faces a “potent cocktail of financial pressures”.
Acting chief executive Nigel Edwards explains: “We need to deal with: funding increases which while ring-fenced will not be adequate to deal with growing demand; one of the biggest reorganisations in the NHS’ history; and the pre-existing need to find between £15-20 billion of savings.”
He says the NHS is “already on course” to cut management costs by 45%, but this will save just £0.85 billion of the £20 billion needed.
“So I am afraid that there are no pain-free choices if we are going to make all this happen,” Edwards adds.
Social care will be particularly hard hit, the NHS Confederation suggests, as councils nationwide face 25% cuts and withdraw services from all but those with the most critical of needs.
These are people who are unable to carry out vital personal care tasks, or whose life is – or will be – threatened without help.
But even if services to this group are continued, that would leave those who may be only slightly more capable of fending for themselves, the Confederation says.
“At a superficial level, this may ease pressure on the social care budget,” argues Edwards.
“But the needs of these vulnerable people and their families will not simply disappear – if needs are not met by social care, people will turn to the NHS.”
Edwards suggest massive cuts will in turn simply put more pressure on A&E departments and GP surgeries as people present there instead of receiving care at home.
And it will add to bed-blocking logjams in the NHS as patients find themselves unable to return to their own homes.
“Everybody loses: the users of services, those who care for them, the taxpayer and the NHS,” insists Edwards. “It’s a classic false economy.”
Adam Hill
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