Britain announced its plans to revise its National Health Service (NHS) on Wednesday, with the aim to drive better value for money and boosted productivity, as it seeks to ensure that 13 billion pounds ($29 billion) of new cash is used to reduce waiting lists.
The British government had made the announcement for the major uplift in spending for the state-run NHS on October 30, as part of a budget that involved drastic increases in tax, spending and borrowing to improve dilapidated public services from the health sector to education to transport.
Health Minister Wes Streeting, who has formerly said the NHS was “broken”, on Wednesday announced a package of measures to turn the NHS in England around.
In his words;
“We are announcing the reforms to make sure every penny of extra investment is well spent and cuts waiting times for patients.”
“Under the reforms, persistently failing managers will be replaced and turnaround teams will be put into hospitals which are struggling financially and not providing a good enough service.”
Streeting also added that he wanted waiting times (in hospitals) to be cut to 18 weeks from 18 months.
Economists have consistently blamed the diminishing size of Britain’s workforce on treatment delays which have prevented people from being fit enough to work.
Other measures outlined include putting different NHS providers into league tables and giving high-performing providers the motive to run their budget as they will be permitted to invest any excesses in buildings, equipment and technology.
The statement also added that a consultation will also closely monitor banning NHS staff from resigning and then offering their services back to hospitals for a higher fee via a recruitment agency.
NHS England had earlier this year, cited several factors for its recent drop in productivity, including strikes, temporary staffing costs and the fluctuating needs of patients.
