Understanding The NHS Position – FP’s View in Bite Size 2

Part 2: Addressing Public concerns

• There has been a huge spending boost:  £57bn, 2002/03 to £108bn by 2012/13, but with minimal improvement in performance.

• There is growing Public concern on overcrowding, infection rates, decline in quality of care, poor co-ordination NHS : social services.

• Gammon’s Law:  “In a bureaucratic system, increased expenditure is only matched by a fall in production.”

• There is little evidence that increased funding alone (while popular) will bring about the deep changes required.

• A balanced approach is required:  “Targeted investment : hospital reconfiguration : more with less, but differently”.