Summary
The House of Lords Select Committee on the Long-term Sustainability of the NHS has identified a culture of short-termism regarding the funding of NHS and adult social care. All governments have short-sightedly failed to plan effectively for the long-term, and a political consensus on the future of the health and care is recommended (to be arrived at by government-initiated cross-party talks).
Budgetary responsibility for the NHS (and social care?) should be assumed by the Department of Health, renamed as the Department of Health and Care. The Dilnot Commission’s recommendations should be re-considered. Public health budget cuts and inadequate workforce planning are criticised.
Reference
The long-term sustainability of the NHS and adult social care. London: House of Lords Select Committee on the Long-term Sustainability of the NHS. Report of Session 2016–17. Ordered to be printed 28 March 2017 and published 5 April 2017. HL Paper 151.
