A happy birthday

The NHS’s birthday came slightly early, with welcome news from prime minister Theresa May about a much needed real-terms funding boost. We might have hoped for – and could make a case for – more. But we should recognise it puts us in a much better position to tackle the significant challenges that face us and to make progress with the transformation and integration agenda.

Austerity, demand and workforce pressures have taken their toll on the service. This announcement must surely be seen as positive political support to help reverse the steady deterioration of our NHS.

An average of 3.4% per annum real growth over the next five years – on the NHS England budget – will still require difficult choices to be made, with underlying deficits and near-term demand likely to eat into this sum. And there remain uncertainties about funding for education and training and the basic protection of public health and social care spending.

Nevertheless, this announcement is positive news. Thank you, Theresa May, and the public. We trust the autumn Budget and next year’s spending review will supplement this announcement with more detail and proposals to address issues across the wider care system.

We must now concentrate all our attention on the development of a 10-year health and care transformation plan. We must because we, the service, will be engaged in its design – a Five-year forward view plus-plus, with implementation legs.

This comprehensive strategic plan is needed because there are gaps in detail, not just in understanding the availability and impact of wider system financial resources, but also in the need to nail down the strategic workforce plan for the NHS.

In the context of Brexit, an ageing workforce and clinical education shortages, we simply have to have a realistic plan to staff the integrated, fit-for-purpose, digitally enabled clinical services of our future.

The health service’s number one priority in this 70th anniversary year must be to address the NHS and social care workforce risk. If not mitigated, this alone will unravel any long-term plan before the ink has dried.

As I said at the beginning of this calendar year, the finance community needs to involve itself directly in, and support, workforce planning. It’s a complex area because in many cases the workforce needed will not exist as we know it. Skills mix and digital support are potential solutions, alongside integrated care models.

One thing is certain: our nursing, human resources and operational colleagues need our continued support and partnership. Let’s make this happen, as the funding gives hope and headroom to future-proof our NHS.

Wishing this great old NHS a very happy 70th birthday and many more to come. I hope you all enjoy the celebrations!

Contact the president on [email protected]