Addressing the NHS Providers Conference today (Wednesday, November 12) in Manchester, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting will promise better patient care as billions of pounds are redirected as a result of ending duplication and slashing bureaucracy at the centre of the NHS.
The size of the centre has more than doubled since 2010. The Government says the 2012 reorganisation of the NHS led to worse care for patients at soaring costs, leaving taxpayers paying more but getting less. These new reforms will see around 18,000 administrative posts abolished, saving more than £1 billion that will be redirected to frontline patient care.
The Government has confirmed it will deliver on the planned timetable of bringing NHS England (NHSE) back into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) within two years – a move that will put an end to the duplication of two organisations doing the same job.
Power to the regions
The reforms will also give more power and autonomy to local leaders and systems – stripping away endless red tape and bureaucracy so they have more freedom to improve delivery of health services for their local communities.
The Government has also committed to reducing the running costs of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Wes Streeting will today give NHS leaders the go-ahead for a 50% cut to headcounts in ICBs. In addition, ICBs, which have previously not had a clearly defined role, will have a clear and focused purpose as strategic commissioners – a much sharper role than previously. They will be tasked with transforming the NHS into a Neighbourhood Health Service, with a greater focus on preventing illness. With half their posts removed, they will be leaner organisations, with a clear purpose.
Protecting investment
The announcement comes ahead of next week’s Budget, which will focus on driving more cuts – to waiting lists, national debt and the cost of living, and targeting waste in public service for a more productive and efficient use of taxpayers’ money. The Government says its investment into the NHS, worth an extra £29 billion, will be protected in the Budget.
Sir Jim Mackey, CEO of NHSE says: “This is good news for NHS staff and patients – allowing our organisations to move forward and provide greater certainty about the future for all our staff and leaders.
“It will free up resources to invest in frontline services and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy that slows us down and gets in the way of the improving care.
“The NHS will continue to focus on the practical challenges ahead. We are pulling out all the stops to support the service through winter, making progress on elective and urgent and emergency care targets.”
In his speech today, Wes Streeting will tell NHS leaders that they have a duty to make every single penny of the investment in the health service count.
