The NHS is in dire financial straits and this is beginning to undermine the health of our nation. Social care is at the heart of the problem we are facing in the NHS. Queues in A&E, delays in discharge, the lack of community services and joined-up care are due to the savage cuts in social care. NHS funding has dropped to only 7% of our national GDP – a level not seen since 2008. Our health service is exhibiting the symptoms of a very ill patient, and we are firm that a different course of treatment is needed if we are to reverse early stage terminal decline. All the political parties are committed to integrating the health and care sector, and this is to be welcomed. However, there are some very worrying trends that could undermine this.
The serious underfunding of general practice and social care over the last five years means that the NHS faces tough times ahead as it embarks on integration. Moreover, the closures to GP-led walk-in centres, hospital beds, mental health services and community services are placing worrying pressure on elderly care and community services, and are proving counterproductive.
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