Charting a way forward
The conference has, Sir Keith said, given us a chance to chart a way forward through the next 12 months, a year which will be one of the most challenging we have ever faced.
A strong voice on your behalf
Sir Keith (NHS Confederation chair) assured delegates that the NHS Confederation will continue to do everything it can to support members over the next year and beyond, being a strong voice on your behalf and a place where all health and healthcare organisations can come together, including the new organisations emerging from the reforms.
Facing the challenges ahead with a united voice
He emphasised that having a united voice is going to be all the more important as we face the challenges of the year ahead. As NHS leaders, we will need, Sir Keith said:
- to implement the biggest structural reform in the history of the NHS
- to cope with the greatest financial pressure that the NHS has ever seen
- to prepare for medical revalidation
- to manage the impact on the NHS of squeezed social care budgets
- to continue to deliver the guarantees set out in the NHS Constitution.
Concluding, he stressed there will be no easy solutions. "We will all have to work extremely hard, continually coming up with new ideas and innovations," he said.
"Time and time again, NHS leaders have shown that they have the resolve and passion to improve our NHS and to enhance the care that all of us depend upon from the moment we are born.
"We will take on these challenges, and I know that we will deliver."
Another great NHS Confederation annual conference
Sir Keith took the opportunity to thank delegates for taking the time to discuss and share ideas and good practice with colleagues, and hoped that the three days had inspired and invigorated delegates with new ideas and tools to take back to their day jobs.
He particularly thanked:
- conference chair, Cathy Newman
- overall sponsor, BT
- exhibitors
- session speakers and chairs.
