Prime minister Theresa May has hinted that the NHS could be given additional funding and a settlement over as long as 10 years as part of a long-term approach to the future of the health service.
Speaking to the Liaison Committee made up of all the select committee chairs in Parliament, May said that the agreement could be set out before the next Spending Review, pencilled in for 2019, because the NHS "can’t afford to wait until next Easter".
May said that ahead of the full review, the government will “come forwards with a long-term plan” in conjunction with the leaders of the NHS with clinicians and health experts.
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The comments come after health secretary Jeremy Hunt hinted that a ten-year funding deal could be introduced in order to tackle what he called the “rather crazy way that we have been funding the NHS over the last 20 years, which has basically been feast or famine”.
May told MPs that as the NHS celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, there was a need for answer on long-term funding.
“The government will provide a multi-year funding settlement in support of the plan consistent with our fiscal rules and balanced approach about ensuring that the NHS can cope with the rising demand ahead of the spending review.”
“What I want to do is develop a long-term plan for the NHS and then ensure that that is properly resourced.”
Responding to the comments, Niall Dickson, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation that represents organisations across the NHS, said the pledge was “the best possible Easter present for the health and social care system after a truly torrid winter”.
He added: “We have been calling for a settlement which is long-term, more generous and one that addresses health and social care together, rather than as individual entities. Tonight the Prime minister signalled an intent to tick all three boxes and we are delighted.”