Prime Minister sets out 5-year NHS funding plan

Prime Minister Theresa May spoke about the future of the NHS at the Royal Free Hospital, London. The NHS is to receive an average 3.4 per cent a year real-terms increase in funding over the next 5 years. The increased funding will support a new 10-year long-term plan the NHS will bring forward.

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.