Over the past two years the SMF Health project has examined the future of the NHS in the coming decade, in the face of demographic, technological and now economic change. in the context of a crisis in public finances the final report looks again at the sustainability of tax funding, and asks how an equitable health system can be safeguarded in the years ahead. The report examines whether new measures should be taken to manage demand for health services to relieve pressure on the NHS.
Having enjoyed massive increases in funding the NHS now faces the need to adjust to the lean times ahead. There are major savings to be made, but they must be driven by high quality local commissioners, with central government taking far less responsibility for health services. This will mean a political shift away from the idea of a uniform National Health Service towards an acceptance of locally varied, diverse procision. Only through empowering locally accountable commissioners and managing demand can the health service survive the challenge of the next decade.
This publications is the final report of the SMF Health Project – a major two year piece of work kindly supported by NHS Connecting for Health, Bupa, Pfizer & Standard Life Healthcare. Over the past two years the SMF Health project has examined the future of the NHS in the coming decade, in the face of demographic, technological and now economic change. in the context of a crisis in public finances the final report looks again at the sustainability of tax funding, and asks how an equitable health system can be safeguarded in the years ahead. The report examines whether new measures should be taken to manage demand for health services to relieve pressure on the NHS.
Having enjoyed massive increases in funding the NHS now faces the need to adjust to the lean times ahead. There are major savings to be made, but they must be driven by high quality local commissioners, with central government taking far less responsibility for health services. This will mean a political shift away from the idea of a uniform National Health Service towards an acceptance of locally varied, diverse procision. Only through empowering locally accountable commissioners and managing demand can the health service survive the challenge of the next decade.
This publications is the final report of the SMF Health Project – a major two year piece of work kindly supported by NHS Connecting for Health, Bupa, Pfizer & Standard Life Healthcare.
