Press release: Mixed economy of provisions is good for the UK health services says the NHS Confederation
24 May 2002
Commenting on the speech given by the Secretary of State for Health at the NHS Confederation annual conference today [24 May], Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation said, "the Confederation has been pressing for an expansion of capacity for some time. The biggest problem for the NHS today is the shortage of key staff, buildings and equipment to cope with the demand for care - so bringing these in from overseas is eminently sensible."
"The main concern of NHS management is that the new money will go into paying higher wages for largely the same staff rather than on new services. We welcome, therefore, the Government's continued commitment to training more doctors and nurses."
She remarked, "There has been mixed provision in parts of the NHS - such as mental health - for many years, this has given patients and commissioners a wider range of options for treatment than might otherwise be available."
The NHS Confederation proposed diagnostic and treatment centres in the consultation on the NHS Plan and NHS Confederation members have been closely involved in developing the concept. It has also been arguing for the use of overseas doctors to address capacity problems and is pleased to see this moving forward.
Ends
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation's annual conference is taking place in Harrogate between 22 and 24 May 2002.
- 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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