The Prime Minister has announced that the NHS will get an extra £20.5 billion per year in real terms by 2023 as part of a new five-year funding plan, providing a welcome boost to health services in Cornwall and the rest of the UK.
The extra funding will mean an average 3.4% per year increase overall which will secure the future of the health service as it approaches its 70th birthday. Part of the funding boost will come from monies no longer being spent on EU membership which is currently more than £350 million per week.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:
"This historic long-term funding boost recognises the superhuman efforts made by staff over the last few years to maintain services in the face of rapidly growing demand. But it also presents a big opportunity for the NHS to write an entirely new chapter in its history.
"The British public love their health service fiercely, and undoubtedly want it to be the top priority for their hard-earned tax contributions.
"The debate over Brexit can be divisive, but that famous campaign promise can now unite us all: the British public voted for £350m a week for the NHS, and that – and more - is exactly what this government will deliver."
This long-term funding commitment means the NHS has the financial security to develop a 10-year plan. The plan will be developed by the NHS, working closely with government and be published later this year. The priorities include:
- getting back on the path to delivering agreed performance standards – locking in and further building on the recent progress made in the safety and quality of care
- transforming cancer care so that patient outcomes move towards the very best in Europe
- better access to mental health services, to help achieve the government’s commitment to parity of esteem between mental and physical health
- better integration of health and social care, so that care does not suffer when patients are moved between systems
- focusing on the prevention of ill-health, so people live longer, healthier lives
North Cornwall MP Scott Mann said:
"This is a very welcome boost for our NHS in Cornwall and the rest of the UK as we plan for its future over the next five to 10 years. The NHS is seeing bigger challenges through an ageing and growing population, and it's important that we give it these significant funding increases to provide a high quality service for everyone."
In addition to a 5-year revenue settlement, the government will also:
- come forward with proposals to reform social care later this year
- ensure that adult social care doesn’t impose additional pressure on the NHS
- consider any proposals from the NHS for legislative changes that will help it to improve patient care and productivity
- consider proposals from the NHS for a multi-year capital plan to support transformation and a multi-year funding plan for clinical training places
- ensure that public health helps people live longer, healthier lives
