The King's Fund response to the Health Select Committee's public expenditure report

Responding to the Health Select Committee’s report on public expenditure on health and social care, Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund said:

‘We welcome the clear emphasis in the Committee’s report on meeting the financial challenge facing the NHS by generating productivity improvements, rather than cutting services. With evidence emerging that some primary care trusts are beginning to restrict services, this is a timely reminder that there are significant opportunities to improve productivity in the health system and that this is where the NHS should focus its efforts.

‘The report underlines the scale of the challenge facing local authorities in sustaining social care services in the face of significant cuts in their budgets, a challenge underlined by the announcement of the local government settlement. This once again highlights the importance of the Dilnot Commission’s work in devising a new settlement for social care funding that will stand the test of time.

‘This report adds the Health Select Committee’s weight to concerns about whether the NHS can meet the financial challenge it faces at the same time as implementing the structural changes set out in the government’s health White Paper. We agree with the Committee about the need for tight financial controls during the transition period and for a clearer plan for delivering the £20 billion in productivity improvements needed to improve quality and meet growing demands for care.’

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