14 March 2003
The NHS has reached a pivotal point in its ten-year modernisation programme and faces serious challenges in the next few years, according to a report by an influential group of health care staff and managers.
In its second annual report, the NHS Modernisation Board, set up to advise Health Secretary Alan Milburn, said the government's NHS Plan was on track to succeed but a lot remained to be done.
The report, covering October 2001 to October 2002, was presented to the health secretary and Prime Minister Tony Blair during a summit with leading NHS figures in Downing Street this week.
The report was effusive about the progress made in the first two years, highlighting the fact that 84% of GP practices now offer an appointment within 48 hours, while 323,000 patients (96%) with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks (up from 91% in 2000/01).
Cultural change, more staff and better buildings were urgently needed. But it added: 'With extra resources about to come on stream we feel confident that fast and effective progress can be made. The patient-centred NHS, once a distant ambition, is now drawing visibly closer.'
Dr Jenny Simpson, chief executive of the British Association of Medical Managers, sought an assurance from the prime minister that the government's pledge to increase NHS spending over the next five years would be honoured. Blair insisted the planned £40bn spending rise would be met.
NHS Confederation chief executive Gill Morgan said: 'The NHS is at a crucial stage in its history. Looking to the next year, the top management priority must be delivering tangible improvements in patient care. There will be a number of key challenges.' As well as delivering short-term targets, the service must look at long-term projects such as culture change and new models of care, she added.
Professor Carol Black, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said the number of staff was the key to achieving the NHS Plan targets. 'Achievement of these aims requires the right staff in the right numbers, enabled to work in ways that allow them to maintain the highest professional standards and to make the most of their skills and potential.'
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