Report on the state of the NHS highlights critical condition and urgent need for change, says Patients Association
London, 12th September 2024: In a recent report, Lord Darzi has diagnosed the state of the NHS as critical, calling for immediate and comprehensive action to address the pressing issues facing the service. The Patients Association has welcomed the honesty and transparency of the report, stating that patients deserve better than what they are currently receiving.
Lord Darzi’s report, released on Thursday the 12th of September, highlights several key issues that have led to the NHS’s critical state. These findings were further corroborated by a patient survey conducted by the Patients Association in July 2024, which received responses from 1,210 individuals. The survey results further emphasise the urgent need for patient-centred change, with less than a third of respondents reporting difficulties accessing GP appointments in the past six months and only 13% stating that they had no issues with accessing NHS services.
Less than a quarter of those surveyed (24%) reported not being able to access the services they required in the last six months, and just 41% felt that their care was well coordinated. Additionally, only 45% of respondents felt that they were adequately informed about their care.
Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, commented on the report, stating that the conclusion that the NHS is in a critical condition is deeply concerning but not surprising. She emphasized the need for an honest appraisal of the challenges facing the NHS and the development of a long-term plan to address these issues. “We now must stop normalising the abnormal,” she added.
To truly succeed in reversing the NHS’s critical condition, the long-term plan must acknowledge the severity of the situation and involve patients, carers, and patient organisations as equal partners in the planning process. Patient feedback and experiences should also be used as key metrics to measure the plan’s success. Improvements in areas such as access to GP appointments, diagnostics, waiting times, and coordination of care must be prioritised, and the plan must address health inequalities and improve access for all communities. Regular review points should also be built-in, where patient input is sought and used to refine the plan.
The Patients Association stands ready to work closely with the NHS and government to create a more responsive, efficient, and effective NHS that truly serves the needs of communities. The focus must be on bold, patient-centred change, rather than half-measures, to address the critical issues identified by Lord Darzi.
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About the Patients Association
The Patients Association is an independent patient charity campaigning for improvements in health and social care for patients. They believe that patients should be actively involved in decisions made about their care and the design of the health and care system. As an independent charity, they campaign for improvements in health and social care, with a belief that these can only be achieved through a partnership between the system and patients. Through their helpline and information services, they provide information to thousands of people each year, enabling them to advocate for themselves.
For more information, please contact media@patients-association.org.uk
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