Health Foundation responds to NHS England’s March performance data

NHS England has today (Thursday 12 May 2016) released the March combined performance summary data.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, comments:

'Today’s figures show that A&E performance targets were narrowly missed -  with 91.9% of patients being treated within four hours against the target of 95%. Similarly 72.5% of the most urgent ambulance calls were met, against the target of 75%. There has also been an increase over the last five years of delayed transfers of care, with patients spending over 400,000 additional days in hospital with the increase in delays being attributable, in part, to social care.

'Considering the unprecedented squeeze in government funding of the NHS and adult social care, the figures today could have been worse. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of NHS staff, the majority of patients have been seen within target times. But if funding trajectories stay on the planned course set in the spending review, performance could deteriorate further. Is this what the public want?

'With rising costs, increasing productivity is key. This is as much an issue for the wider economy as for the NHS, yet answers are strangely elusive. This is an area where the government, business community and the NHS needs some collective thinking, and fast.'

Media Contact

Mike Findlay

Mike.findlay@health.org.uk

020 7257 8047