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THE FUTURE OF THE NHS
 

"In my contract with the people of Britain I promised that we would rebuild the NHS...
The NHS will get better every year, so that it once again delivers dependable, high quality care - based on need not ability to pay."
Tony Blair, Prime Minister (1998)

This Government has already begun a 10 year programme to rebuild and modernise the NHS, and within this it has promised to cut waiting lists for hospital treatment and provide a better quality of service people experience in their own homes, at their GP surgery or health centre and in hospital.
 

Here is a list of what is happening to modernise the NHS:-

Nationally

  • For everyone to be able to contact the NHS direct, a new 24 hour telephone advice line staffed by nurses, who will give on the spot advice and help. Pilot helpline have already been set up and by the year 2000 the whole country will be covered.
  • A new NHS information superhighway - NHSnet will link GP surgeries to any specialist centre in the country, which would enable GPs to book out patient appointments straight away and have access to up to date specialist advice. It is intended that by 2002 these services will be able across the country.
  • Everyone with suspected cancer will be able to see a specialist within two weeks of their GP deciding they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment. These arrangements are expected to be in place for suspected breast cancer patients by April 1999, and for all other suspected cancer cases by 2000.
  • A new Commission for Health Improvement has been set up to support and oversee the quality if clinical services locally and tackle shortcomings.
  • New national guidelines and standards are being introduced to make sure that patients have access to the same standards and quality of care wherever they live in the country.
  • A new Patient's Charter will be introduced in the autumn of 1998.

Locally

  • Both Health Authorities in Kent have been involved in bringing teams of local GPs and community nurses together in new Primary Care Groups, to enable then to have more of a say in the commissioning of health services for their patients. The Primary Care Groups will be set up by April 1999.
  • The Health Authorities are also taking the lead and working with local authorities and organisations in developing three Heath Improvement Programmes in improve health and tackle health inequalities.