Ahead of the National Health Service 70th anniversary next month, it has been confirmed that NHS funding will grow on average by 3.4 per cent in real terms each year from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
By the end of this period, the NHS England budget will increase by over £20 billion per year in real terms compared with today; £394 million a week higher and a commitment going far beyond the Brexit dividend which is being spent on our Health Service.
The funding increase will mean the NHS can lay firm foundations for service improvements. This is to be front-loaded with increases of 3.6 per cent in the first two years, which means £4.1 billion extra in 2019.
While services have been returning to Crawley over the last eight years after the closure of maternity and A&E in 2001 and 2005 respectively I questioned the Health & Social Care Secretary in Parliament last week over the importance of this funding boosting local healthcare provision.
Another priority must be to focus on prevention as well as cure. I have made continued representations with the Health & Social Care Secretary and NHS officials on services and treatments, as well as wider psychological support for patients. I additionally raised these issues in Parliament including during a debate on NHS care which I secured and led earlier this year.
The Prime Minister has been clear that barriers between providers need to be broken down so staff and patients are empowered to work together across organisations. This will lead to a health and social care system which addresses physical, mental and social care needs together, rather than as isolated issues.
This long-term funding commitment gives the NHS the financial security to develop a 10 year plan. Priorities include ensuring better access to mental health services in line with the Government’s commitment to parity of esteem between mental and physical health.
The multi-year funding settlement gives the NHS the opportunity and certainty to develop a long-term plan for areas including staffing, prevention and technology.
A long-term plan will ensure the NHS is fit to support us for the next 70 years and beyond.
Henry Smith MP
