Healthcare Commission Report Published UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 09 Jul 2004 - 11:00 PDT

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The Healthcare Commission has published its first report today on the state of healthcare in England and Wales.

The Healthcare Commission report said that the NHS had succeeded in cutting waiting times and reducing deaths from cancer and other major diseases in recent years. However the report states that there are still wide variations between different areas and groups of people.

"Those most in need may still be getting the worst deal," said the commission's chairman Sir Ian Kennedy. The commission examined NHS care in hospitals and clinics across England and Wales.

The commission also raises questions about how the Government allocates money to the NHS in different parts of the country. It says some of the most deprived areas are not getting as much as they should.

Health Secretary Rt Hon John Reid MP said the Ggovernment was committed to stamping out these variations.

"Inequalities are a continuing scar on civilised society," he said. "They are unacceptable." Mr Reid said he would soon be starting work to make sure that funds were more fairly distributed across the NHS.

"I will want to concentrate that redistribution towards those in the greatest need and with the greatest deficit," he said.

Opposition parties used the report to criticise the Government's health record. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley MP said, "It is truly shocking that such a health divide still exists between the rich and poor. Labour has failed completely to ensure that resources reach areas with the most healthcare needs."

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesman Paul Burstow MP said, "Until this Government tackles the root causes of ill health instead of simply trying to treat the symptoms, these appalling inequalities will remain."

The Healthcare Commission today pledged to put inequalities in healthcare and health at the top of its agenda. The Commission will be vigilant in checking that every citizen receives healthcare according to their needs regardless of their circumstances and background.

Part of its future work will be dedicated to ensuring that the NHS identifies why the experience of healthcare varies and what it intends to do to address the clear inconsistencies in the provision of services.

For example, it appears that a disproportionately high proportion of those compulsorily admitted to mental health units are from black and minority ethnic groups, and the proportion of older people in the population receiving flu vaccinations varies from 49% to 78% across England.

The UK Government's spending on healthcare is increasing. However, the Healthcare Commission is concerned about how those funds are allocated across the country. On historical grounds, some communities receive more money than others.

The UK Government has a formula to address anomalies and to determine how much each community should get, based on the needs of its population, including age, deprivation and amount of ill-health. But many deprived communities, who have the greatest health needs, are not getting as much as they should according to the formula. For instance, Easington in County Durham should be receiving an additional £26.5 million a year while Kensington and Chelsea is receiving £30.3 million a year more than the formula requires.

Quick link: State of HealthCare Report 2004 and Summary

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee