Press release: A message to the chancellor in advance of the budget: evidence shows that investment in the NHS is well spent
10 Apr 2002
NHS management, commenting on Department of Health reports on progress towards NHS Plan targets and how the NHS has coped with providing emergency care over winter, called for recognition of the success and hard work of management, clinicians and other NHS staff in meeting challenging targets and called on the Chancellor to take to heart the evidence that investment in the NHS produces results in next week's budget.
Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said, "These progress reports demonstrate that when clear targets are set, priorities identified and the resources provided, the NHS will rise to the challenge. The Chancellor should take comfort from this evidence that the NHS is a safe place for his money and that investment produces results."
The Confederation welcomed the focus on a smaller number of the most important targets "those that matter the most to patient and the public - including waiting which remains a high priority for the man and woman in the street". She said, "the message is clear: judging the NHS against an enormous number of targets might actually undermine improvement by spreading effort too thinly. Everyone - clinicians, managers, government, the public - needs to focus on the most important issues together. The latest results show what can be achieved by this."
She pleaded with commentators to take a moment to celebrate success in the NHS before moving the debate to the next set of targets. Dr Morgan said, "These were not easy targets to achieve and meeting them has been hard work, the next set of targets will be at least as challenging. Before we rush to look ahead, let us take a moment to recognize what has been achieved. It would do a lot for morale if we could just say thank you to staff"
Ends
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts, health authorities and local health groups in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
Contact details
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