Oliver Hindmarsh’s Post

"This is the biggest increase in NHS spending since 2010, (excluding COVID-19 years)*..." The Chancellor announced a £22 billion increase in total health and social care revenue and capital funding as part of a two-phased Spending Review. The health and social care revenue budget will increase to £200.5 billion in 2025/26 and its ring-fenced sub-budget for NHS England will increase to £192 billion. Some of the key things for me were: 🤔 While the Chancellor said this funding would go towards funding ‘day-to-day’ NHS budget, this front-loading is, in part, to pay for previously unfunded commitments such as pay deals (estimated by the Nuffield Trust before the Budget to be around £4.8 billion) and funding existing deficits. It is not yet clear how much health leaders will be able to spend on frontline service improvements. 👩⚕️£1.5 billion for capital for new surgical hubs and scanners and new beds to create more treatment space in emergency departments, reduce waiting times and help shift more care into the community 🧑💻 £2 billion to invest in NHS technology and digital – contingent on 2 per cent productivity next year That said, All departments are subject to a 2 per cent efficiency, productivity and savings target in 2025/26 which is expected to make significant savings. This is an invest to save, which comes after years of underfunding. It was interesting to see though, that despite the "need" to move to prevention, there was no explicit investment in services which will prevent health problems from arising. Yet, there were some public health measures such as Tobacco and alcohol duty. Is there anything else missing from these investments? #AutumnBudget #NHS #Investment https://lnkd.in/eUVk8Ri5 https://lnkd.in/epwARs23 https://lnkd.in/edwrgx-8 https://lnkd.in/eg8bZFgw

We do a great job at identifying and costing what is needed to bring the NHS Estates up to some semblance of what it should be in a developed country ........delivering it is another question entirely so lets watch the 'priorities for a new government' glibly quoted in the article below . A new report from the NHS Confederation, Building the health of the nation: priorities for a new government, says that with the UK NHS having received lower capital investment than other healthcare systems internationally and other industries domestically, there needs to be a significant rise in NHS capital spending across the UK. Against the backdrop of ‘many dilapidated buildings’ the Confederation says that in England such spending needs to rise to at least £14.1 billion annually at the next three-year Spending Review – a £6.4 billion increase from the current budget of £7.7 billion, ‘so the health service can carry out essential maintenance and repairs to its estates, update old kit, and invest in cutting-edge technology, particularly in digital, technology, and AI.” #healthcareconstruction #nhs

The Budget’s record investment in the NHS is a welcome step forward. But while more facilities and equipment are essential to address rising waiting lists, any lasting change to the NHS must put healthcare professionals front and centre.  Our members feel stressed, burned-out. They tell us they’re overwhelmed by relentless work demands, staff shortages and patient expectations. To truly support them, the government must prioritise NHS workforce issues and protect staff wellbeing as core pillars of their 10-year reform plan. Without such measures and action on tort reform to tackle escalating negligence costs, the Budget’s investment risks being a short-term fix rather than a transformative change.     #Budget2024 #OnYourSide

The NHS is an invaluable institution, but throwing more and more cash at it is not the solution to its challenges. What the NHS really needs is a radical efficiency drive, not endless funding injections. Pumping money into a system that’s operating inefficiently is like pouring water into a bucket full of holes, it doesn’t fix the underlying issues. Imagine if the NHS were optimised with streamlined processes, data-driven decision-making, and effective resource management. We could cut down waiting times, reduce wasted resources, and create a system that truly meets the needs of the public. The result? Higher-quality care, quicker service, and a much-needed morale boost for the hardworking NHS staff who often feel the brunt of inefficiencies. Consider the private sector. Successful companies don’t just keep adding funds to grow, they optimise and innovate. The NHS could benefit immensely from a similar approach, with a culture shift that priorities accountability, value for money, and smart use of technology. Investing in efficiency, rather than just capital, could transform the NHS into a sustainable, high-performing health service that actually meets demand. It’s time to stop treating the NHS like a bottomless pit for funds and start treating it like the efficient, life-saving service it has the potential to be. #NHS #budget

🌟 Big News for Healthcare in the UK! 🌟 The UK Government has recently announced a significant increase in the NHS budget, set to roll out over the next two years. This funding boost is intended to strengthen the foundations of the healthcare system, support ongoing recovery efforts, and support vital schemes aimed at reducing waiting times and expanding capacity. Key Highlights of the Budget Increase: 🔺 Enhanced Patient Care: An emphasis on reducing waiting lists, ensuring that more patients get the timely treatment they need. 🔺 Support for Healthcare Workers: New resources aimed at bolstering staff numbers, training, and welfare to maintain a robust, resilient workforce. 🔺 Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades: Investments in modernizing hospital facilities and integrating advanced technology to streamline services and improve patient outcomes. The government’s aim is clear: to ensure that the NHS continues to be a world-class service that meets the evolving needs of our society. 💬 Your Thoughts? What are your perspectives on how this funding should be allocated to make the most significant impact? Are there specific areas where you believe investment is most needed? Let's start the conversation! Venesta #Healthcare #NHS #UKGovernment #Budget2024 #PublicHealth

The announcement of a multi-billion pound boost for the NHS in the Spring Budget is certainly a positive step towards addressing pressing healthcare needs. The investment aims to cut waiting lists, raise productivity, and facilitate digital transformation, all of which are critical for improving healthcare delivery. However, while this investment holds promise, there are still numerous challenges ahead. Implementation hurdles, technological complexities, and the need for effective governance and oversight are just a few of the obstacles that must be overcome to realise the full potential of this investment. Additionally, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and addressing systemic issues within the NHS will require sustained effort and resources. Nevertheless, with careful planning and collaboration, this investment has the potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes for individuals and communities across the UK. #NHS #digitalservices

My immediate response to the Budget: this is a big settlement for the NHS, can it deliver? Read some more insights from our experts: https://lnkd.in/exsFkjGc #AutumnBudget #Budget2024 #NHS #HealthSpending #HealthInvestment

Is the Spring Budget truly a solution or just a temporary fix for the NHS? In light of yesterday's Spring Budget, it appears that while the additional £3.4bn capital injection offers some relief for our healthcare system, the reality may not be as promising as it seems. Dr. Eleanor Roy, CIPFA's Health and Integration Policy Manager, said, "Unfortunately, yesterday's budget was another step in the well-worn cycle of crisis-cash-repeat. It was silent on the long-term investments which are badly needed to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our NHS." Read CIPFA's full comment here: https://lnkd.in/eD3vFdwf #SpringBudget #NHS #HealthCare #PublicSector #PublicServices

"NHS leaders are delivering productivity improvements and want to do more, but it often requires capital investment – something that’s been insufficient for decades – and it also takes time. What we continue to see is NHS leaders being asked to make short-term cuts that will have a negative impact on their ability to improve productivity in the long term." For the NHS to be more productive and effective, they need the the things and environment to do so. Better physical spaces 🏢, better technology 💻, better equipment 🏥. Without these, budget reduction targets will largely be made via staff cuts, which increases stress and burnout for the staff that remain, and negatively impacts patient care and wait times. Interesting report on the current state of NHS finances and the need for a long-term strategic approach. 👇 https://lnkd.in/eDRcDVUd

Much has been written this morning about the latest 'Darzi Review' into NHS performance. https://lnkd.in/eZnBUS7n Few would disagree with most of what he writes, especially the need to re-balance investment from in-hospital spend to out-of-hospital spend. It makes sense. However, buried in the document at point 17 we see: "On top of that, there is a shortfall of £37 billion of capital investment." He takes us back to the early days of the coalition govt and the creation of NHS England. I recall my team at the time producing NHS England's 'Call to Action' showing that patient demand was accelerating at an alarming rate, whilst investment was flat lining. The figure we told No10 that was needed to close the gap was £30bn - we actually had a higher figure in our first run of the numbers but we were advised to 'de-tune' it a bit for reasons of fiscal credibility and politics. The money was not made available. With the current PM constantly referencing the £22bn deficit left by the last administration, it seems unlikely that significant extra money will be available for the NHS. So what then? We will need to double down on making every pound work so much better. We will need to consider where the greatest impact can be enjoyed for each pound spent. We will need to abandon legacy thinking, instead embrace the new, especially technology, in a far more profound and productive manner. We will need to have a far greater mix of private providers in the mix. Providers who have shown they can be more efficient and work at lower costs than NHS counterparts and who also offer high quality outcomes. We will seriously need to have a proper workforce plan, with almost certainly fewer overall number of staff employed. We will need to sell off hospitals that are way past their use by dates, especially as we cannot afford to upgrade or even maintain them, and release the cash into community services, that can more effectively help those with chronic illness. In short, we will need to be far more iconoclastic in our thinking than ever before if our NHS has a chance of survival. Is The Labour Party prepared to do this? I shall be at the Labour conference in a couple of weeks and plan to talk to as many in the health team as possible to find out if their appetite to be as bold is what I think is necessary.