An open letter from healthcare leaders to political party leaders ahead of the general election

An open letter from healthcare leaders to political party leaders ahead of the general election

With just days left until British voters head to polling stations, we are appealing to you, as leaders of the major political parties, if elected, to commit to a £6.4 billion annual funding increase to upgrade NHS facilities to reduce waiting lists to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the next Parliament.

Our pleas to address crumbling estates and outdated equipment, and support our workforce seem to have been heard, with promises to move forward with the New Hospital Programme and NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. However, as healthcare leaders, we are deeply concerned that these commitments have not yet been backed up by the funding necessary.

NHS leaders and staff keenly understand the need to reform our health services and make them fit for modern needs as they struggle through endless system challenges every day. However, with rising demand and an ageing population, waiting lists will not be cut in any meaningful way without significant additional investment. Even reform will require sizeable funding.

Fifty-six per cent of respondents to the Royal College of Surgeons of England’s 2023 UK Surgical Workforce Census said access to operating theatres was a major challenge. A lack of theatre space, excessive administrative burden, a shortage of theatre staff and broken IT, all prevent surgeons from operating, making it difficult to reduce waiting lists.

With the waiting list currently at 7.57 million, the NHS Confederation estimates NHS capital spending in England needs to increase to at least £14.1 billion annually at the next three-year Spending Review; a £6.4 billion increase from the current budget of £7.7 billion. This would also have extra funding implications for the devolved nations. NHS leaders say capital funding is the number one issue holding back their progress.

This increase in funding would allow healthcare leaders to address the existing NHS estates backlog and increase capacity. This includes investing in more diagnostic machines and expanding existing initiatives such as surgical hubs. We also need more hospital beds. At 2.43 per 1,000 population, the UK has far fewer hospital beds than countries like France (5.73) and Germany (7.82). 

Alongside, capital investment, we are also seeking further commitments from the political parties, and ultimately the next UK government, to make the NHS a more attractive place to work. Without a healthy, happy and fulfilled workforce, the NHS will continue to struggle to attract and retain staff, and provide the care that patients rightly expect. NHS staff feel under pressure, undervalued, and overworked. The NHS Staff Survey 2023 national results found more than 30% of respondents feel burnt out because of their work. Almost half (45%) of respondents to Ipsos polling for the NHS Confederation said that increasing staff numbers should be the priority for improving the NHS.

The next government must also set out a detailed plan for how it will fully fund the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Reaching an agreement that ends long-running industrial action, and the introduction of a well-being package to improve flexible working options, as well as physical and cultural workplace environments, as outlined by RCS England, will also help retain much valued and needed staff.

We recognise that the next UK government will have tough budget decisions to make. However, even with a difficult economic position, the Health Foundation’s REAL Centre argues investing more in health is possible. For example, France invested 26% more per head than the UK in health, despite their economic performance being similar to the UK’s, with a GDP per capita 1% higher than our own. Challenging choices can be made in favour of our NHS.

As in every election, the NHS will be a defining issue. Voters, including the hundreds of thousands of patients who have been waiting more than a year for treatment, will want to see credible action taken on our NHS by whichever party is elected. We appeal to the next UK government to listen to the NHS staff we represent and to provide the funding needed to serve patients as they deserve.

Yours faithfully

Mr Tim Mitchell Mr Matthew Taylor

President                                                          Chief Executive                    

Royal College of Surgeons of England            NHS Confederation

Read our election manifesto outlining surgical solutions for the next UK government.