ABSTRACT
There is little doubt that the NHS is under considerable pressure. People with long-term conditions need investigations and interventions, and the pandemic has further added pressure. Some of these pressures can be dealt with by developing better, more productive community services with better coordination and engagement between the NHS and clinicians and patients. This needs to be done in a culturally appropriate way as the country has a very diverse population in this country. It is important to note that some of the highest rates of many illnesses are related to some of the very worst health inequalities. The NHS needs to work in a coordinated way with other partners but also focus needs to shift to public health and pre-prevention through education. The strength of the NHS is that it delivers excellent emergency care even when under pressure and treats and manages people with life-threatening conditions. The system is set up to deal with that more acute phase of care, which is a great positiveness, but routine care needs upscaling different streams of funding for acute care, mental healthcare, social care and housing which need to be brought together in a practical manner. The NHS needs long-term plans in place.
