Restarting NHS services after the COVID-19 outbreak Joint letter to the Health and Social Care Select Committee for the evidence session on delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond

Health Foundation, Nuffield Trust and King's Fund response to the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into Delivering Core NHS and Care Services during the Pandemic and Beyond.  

Millions of health and care staff, support workers and volunteers have responded to the needs of those directly affected by COVID-19 and have maintained essential non-COVID-19 services.

As we move beyond the peak of the pandemic, patients, carers, staff and the public will want clarity about plans to resume health and care services and what resources will be needed to do this.

Our joint submission to the Health and Social Care Select Committee sets out five important challenges that will need to be addressed by leaders in government and the health and care system:

• How and when will appropriate infection prevention and control measures be available for all settings delivering care, and what impact will these have on capacity to reopen?
• How will the system understand the full extent of unmet need?
• How will the public’s fear of using NHS and social care services be reduced?
• What is the strategy for looking after and growing the workforce?
• Can the system improve as it recovers?

Read our full submission