We are all aware that services in the NHS in England are getting worse, but a review has found things are deteriorating in a way not seen since the early 1990s.
The King's Fund review said waiting times for A&E, cancer care and routine operations had all started getting worse, while deficits were growing. But the review has also acknowledged the NHS had done as well as could be expected, given the financial climate.
It said the next government had to address the funding situation, an extra £8bn a year is needed for NHS England by 2020, as a minimum.
The report highlights a range of problems as well as achievements. These include:
- Waiting time targets for A&E, hospital treatment and cancer care all being missed towards the end of the parliament.
- Bed occupancy increasing to "very high levels", while delays in discharging patients have "risen significantly".
- Funding being increased by 0.8% a year on average - higher than was predicted mainly because of the low levels of inflation.
- Hospital infections, such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile, dropping to historically-low levels.
- Public satisfaction levels reaching their second highest levels ever.
- The number of doctors and nurses increasing, while management costs had been "significantly reduced".
- Levels of deficits increasing though as the NHS struggles to keep up with demand.
It is clear from the report that the NHS is at a critical point, making its funding and survival a hot topic in the coming election.
Source: BBC News
Image: e-Magine Art. Flickr
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