This quarter's monitoring report looks back at how the NHS performed during the first year of the spending squeeze.
Summary
The key findings are:
the national financial position is positive and has been assisted by a pay freeze and control of tariff
many organisations have not delivered their cost improvement programmes (CIPs) but have still achieved a surplus or broken even
the NHS as a whole continues to deliver on key national targets but there are increasing numbers of organisations failing to do so on some – such as maximum waits in accident and emergency (A&E) departments
finance directors foresee increasing challenges in continuing to deliver CIPs at the level required.
This is the fifth quarterly monitoring report produced by the Fund as we aim to provide a regular update on how the NHS is coping as it grapples with the evolving reform agenda as well as the more significant challenge of making radical improvements in productivity. It is a continuation of our work to assess, analyse and report on the performance of the NHS.
I am 64, and was referred to a Consultant Neurologist 3 years ago to investigate damage to nerves in my feet. At that time I was able to walk unaided and very active. In the intervening period my symptoms have continued to worsen significantly and I now have to use a walking frame. I have had a number of diagnostic tests, but no treatment to date, and in June I was referred for a nerve biopsy for which I was devastated to learn that the waiting time was at least six months, which is totally unacceptable. We are led to believe that waiting times have shortened considerably and that patients have statutory 'rights' in this respect, but this has not been my experience and I feel I have been badly let down by the NHS - instead of being diagnosed within an acceptable timeframe, which would have halted the progression of my symptoms at an earlier stage, I have experienced interminable delays which are likely to leave me with a permanent disability. My NHS Trust claims to be unable to help to expedite this latest procedure. I am truly appalled!
I have been waiting 14 months, I have a nerve caught in my spine, the Primary Care Trust have taken me of the waiting list. Where does a pensioner get £1ooo pounds to go private, I am 75 payed into the National Health since I was 15yrs, in perfect health otherwise. Its an injection at Outpatients.
I tried to make an appointment at my Doctors today (Wood street Surgey in Mansfield) and the earliest appointment they could give me was 21st August - five weeks away. Disgusted
I thoroughly agree. Frequently I have had to wait at least four huors to see a doctor, even wit h strokes. Once after sitting freezing for hours ,my name still was not called. They only gave me a wheelchair when I collapsed. I have been in hospital over 20 times in the last ten years. I was really ill last wee. The oharmacist and the doctor both said I needed an ambulance, but I refused to go to hospital. They get everything wrong anyway.They are kindly but have poor memories!
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