Full story in The Guardian, 21 May 2018
Hospitals have been left dangerously overloaded because NHS bosses and ministers have failed to fulfil pledges to build up health services in or near people’s homes, a new report claims.
Patients are also losing out because a long-promised revolution in how NHS care is delivered to help them stay healthy at home and avoid unnecessary stays in hospital has not happened.
The warning, by the main organisation representing NHS trusts in England, also casts grave doubt on the progress of the Five Year Forward View, the government’s plan for improving the NHS.
Community services trusts, which specialise in providing out-of-hospital care, have been left “overstretched, underfunded and understaffed” because promises to expand their key role have not led to concrete action, claims NHS Providers.