The King's Fund responds to HMT announcement of new funding for two million extra NHS appointments

Commenting on an announcement from The Treasury that there will be new funding to kickstart delivery of two million extra NHS appointments, Siva Anandaciva, Chief Analyst at The King’s Fund, said: 

‘Waiting times for NHS care have remained astonishingly high for far too long and it’s no surprise that the government wants to restore public satisfaction with the NHS by improving access to care. Investing in improving people’s health and in health care services during the forthcoming Budget is a good place for the government to start to show the sector and patients that they are serious about changing the trajectory of NHS performance. 

‘The government has said it needs to make difficult choices, and this announcement shows it is prioritising early investment in its manifesto commitments to increase the number of scanners the NHS has and to provide more appointments and procedures each week. However, without further commitments in the Autumn Budget, the NHS and adult social care system will be facing another grim winter as they try to balance rising demand for care and deteriorating financial positions. 

‘The sums announced today must be the first but not final word if the government is going to meet its ambitions to deliver an NHS that is fit for the future. While the announcement of more capital investment for new NHS equipment is much needed and to be welcomed, particularly to unlock productivity gains, this will only go so far in improving patient care when the existing backlog of NHS maintenance issues with buildings and equipment continues to rapidly rise and now stands at a staggering £13.8 billion.  

‘Additionally, while investment is crucial to bringing down waiting lists, so too is having enough NHS staff to take on the extra shifts – not a given when vacancies are high, and many existing staff report high levels of stress and burnout.’ 

Notes to editors

1. The King's Fund and The Nuffield Trust published the latest British Social Attitudes survey.

2. The King’s Fund published a blog by Siva Anandaciva ahead of the Autumn Budget.

3. The King’s Fund published a blog by Sarah Arnold, Senior Policy Lead, on the intersection of health and economic policy, and the government’s ambition to support people back to work.

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The King's Fund is an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. We help to shape policy and practice through research and analysis; develop individuals, teams and organisations; promote understanding of the health and social care system; and bring people together to learn, share knowledge and debate. Our vision is that the best possible health and care is available to all.