Health Foundation responds to NHS England’s technical briefing for the Five Year Forward View

NHS England has today (Monday 9 May 2016) published a technical briefing that sits alongside the Five Year Forward View financial assessment.

Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and Economics, comments: 'Today’s briefing by NHS England is a welcome focus on where the NHS expects to achieve efficiencies over the remainder of this parliament. £15bn of savings from local NHS services are required if the national target of £22bn is to be met by the beggining of 2020/21. However by its own estimate, the NHS delivered savings of just £1bn towards this last year, confirming that the health system is substantially off target with its efficiency plan. At its heart this reflects fundamental weakness in the approach to efficiency in the NHS – too much reliance on one-off savings.

'What is now crucial is a comprehensive plan with clear accountability for how these savings can be achieved in reality. Patients and the public also need assurance that these savings will be genuine efficiencies and not simply reductions in quality.'

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