New report warns of triple whammy for NHS

NHS leaders are calling for a reassessment of what the health service can deliver as it prepares to grapple with a triple whammy of issues this winter.

Stressing that the NHS is at a ‘critical crossroads’, the NHS Confederation has published a new report warning of rising coronavirus infections, a major backlog of treatment and reduced capacity due to infection control measures.

Informed by a new survey of more than 250 of the most senior leaders in the NHS, the report urges the government of the need for extra investment and support for front-line services if the NHS is to emerge from the pandemic on a stronger footing.

The paper calls for a raft of positive changes that have been introduced in recent months to be ‘locked-in’ for the benefit of patients, local communities and NHS staff. They include stripping back red tape and bureaucracy, handing more control to local NHS leaders, accelerating steps to integrate health and social care, and sustained and funded action to tackle the health inequalities that have been exacerbated by coronavirus.

Above all, the report calls for political leaders to be honest and realistic with the public about waiting times and other areas of treatment as the NHS continues to resume services while managing the ongoing threat of coronavirus.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “No one can be in any doubt that the road to recovery for the NHS and social care services will be long. Despite dire predictions that it would not be able to cope, the NHS has not only managed a huge wave of Covid-19 patients but also continued to treat millions not infected with the virus. We have learned much and are in a better position to manage the virus than first time round, despite still not having an effective test and trace system. The strain will continue to be felt across the country, but we must take this opportunity to re-cast services for the long-term benefit of patients and local communities. Our members continue to do everything they can to maintain access to vital mental health, cancer and other services for their non-Covid patients.

“This is a moment of truth for the government and its stewardship of the NHS. Either it embraces what we have learned in recent months and provides the support and investment the NHS and social care need to get back on track and reform for the long term. Or they continue with short-term fixes, bail-outs and ever increasing targets and regulation that continue to stifle NHS staff from ‘locking-in’ the changes that are essential if the health service is to manage the threat of the pandemic and emerge in a stronger position. In return, taxpayers and the government will rightly expect the NHS to embrace new technology, eliminate waste and deliver services in new and improved ways for patients.”