NHS funding cuts in certain areas like public health, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Think Tank Report Reveals NHS Funding Cuts
The Nuffield Trust reported that some NHS services have faced real-term funding cuts recently, highlighting the need for more investment in community care to handle challenges from an ageing population and health inequalities.
The report showed NHS spending in England increased by 3.1% in real terms over the past decade but this rise wasn’t evenly spread across all services, according to the report of The Standard.
Impact on NHS Services
Certain services, like public health, dentistry, and ophthalmic and pharmacy, saw real-term funding cuts. Public health funding dropped by 3.9%, dentistry by 2.2%, and ophthalmic and pharmacy by 2% annually over seven years.
Public Health Grant Cuts
The largest cut was in the local authority public health grant which funds vital services like sexual health and drug and alcohol programs, posing significant challenges for public health.
(photo: BBC)
Call for Community Care Investment
Sally Gainsbury from the Nuffield Trust emphasized the need for investment in community care to address the issues from an ageing population and increasing health disparities. The next government must focus on this area without cutting funds from acute care.
Future Challenges
The Nuffield Trust warned the new government faces a tough job reversing these cuts and must balance investments to support both community and acute care services.
The Nuffield Trust’s findings stress the need for strategic investment in NHS services, especially community care, to ensure sustainable health outcomes and meet evolving healthcare needs.
