Building NHS Capacity The Cure For Cutting Patient Waiting Times, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 12 Nov 2009 - 8:00 PST

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"Building up capacity in the NHS is the way to deliver better, faster and fairer patient care," said UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union. Commenting on Government proposals to give patients the right to faster treatment, introduce health checks for the over 40's, the right to die at home and access to NHS dentistry, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health said:

"The Government's latest proposals to guarantee speedy access to quality patient care and rid the NHS of the post-code lottery are welcome. However, we need to look closely at proposals to enshrine these rights in law. We do not want a 'lawyers' charter', where much needed NHS money is drained away by legal action and arguments.

"Waiting lists have come down hugely, but the lack of capacity in the NHS is what is stopping patients across the country, from getting fast and equal access to treatment. The NHS has to grow and modernise to respond to changing healthcare needs, and importantly, must respond more rapidly to patients and their families facing cancer tests or diagnosis. We know that NHS cancer treatments have improved over the last 10 years, but early diagnosis and treatment makes a significant difference to outcomes.

"No patient should be made to wait in pain for treatment - and how long they wait, should not be governed by where they live. However, turning to the private sector to provide treatment for NHS patients is not a viable, future-proof solution. Diverting money into the private sector drains the NHS of cash and staff. The private sector does not train doctors or nurses but takes them away from the health service, who then has to bear the cost of replacing them."

Source
UNISON