The Government’s latest controversial NHS reform plans have indicated that failing hospitals will no longer be aided by subsidies. These failing institutions will no longer be ‘bailed out’ by using taxpayers’ money.
Under the original Health and Social Care Bill, the intention was that particular services would be available from one source in a specified area, and that they would be subsidised even if they failed financially or treated very few patients. The new improvements will see patients’ access to services become protected and that bail-outs will be avoided. The improved document stated that clinicians and managers of medical institutions are to be held responsible and accountable for the results they achieve. Success will be rewarded, and overspending and failure will be dealt with appropriately.
Attention has to be given to improving patient care. The Future Forum, which was set up to provide advice to the government regarding its reform plans, argued that the provision of care close to a patient’s home has to be given priority. It also stated that less dependence should be placed on hospitals, and specialist services are to be concentrated in fewer hospitals that have the ability to deliver better services and results.
This option is not a new idea – the problem facing the NHS today is a financial one since it has become apparent that funding in England will not be increased above the rate of inflation for the next four years at least. There are many hospitals that have deficits and are unable to sustain existing services, both financially and clinically.
In England, approximately 10% of hospitals might well be financially unsustainable. These will have to be merged or taken over. Some of them may have to change the type of services that they provide.
It has been stated that the suggestions from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, a panel of experts who have been given the responsibility to review local unresolved issues, should be heeded. Politicians should distance themselves from some of these decisions and more open dialogue with the public should be introduced.
