The King's Fund responds to today's Queen's Speech

Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, Richard Murray, Chief Executive of The King’s Fund said:

‘We welcome the government’s commitment to bring forward draft legislation to support the implementation of the NHS long-term plan. This should be based on the targeted proposals NHS England have developed in conjunction with NHS staff, patients and local leaders, which will remove some of the barriers that make it hard for NHS organisations to collaborate with each other and their many local partners. This would deliver positive legislative change without imposing another top-down structural reorganisation.

‘Looking outside the NHS there is a pressing need for major reforms to social care funding. The adult social care system is failing the people who rely on it, with high levels of unmet need and providers struggling to deliver the quality of care that vulnerable people have a right to expect. While we welcome the commitment to bring forward proposals to reform adult social care, it’s time for the government to stop just saying they will fix it and to show us how they plan to do so. Any meaningful future reform also needs to include working age adults, who account for half of social care spending.’

Notes to editors

The full background briefing for the Queen’s Speech from the government can be found here.

For more information or to request an interview please contact Gemma Umali, Press and Public Affairs Manager at The King's Fund, by telephone on 0207 307 2583 or via email at: g.umali@kingsfund.org.uk

We have published a new blog from Richard Murray about the need to avoid another major top-down structural reorganisation of the NHS.

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.