NHS England (Mandate)

Jeremy Hunt Excerpts

Friday 5th July 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

Today the Government are launching the consultation on the refresh of the mandate to NHS England for 2014-15. The consultation will close on 27 September in readiness for the publication of the refreshed mandate in the autumn to fit with the NHS planning round for 2014-15.

The mandate sets the Government’s ambitions for the NHS as well as the funding available to achieve and deliver the kind of care people need and expect. The first mandate set an ambitious agenda and was published in November 2012. It covered the period April 2013 to March 2015. The Government expect NHS England to demonstrate significant progress against all 24 objectives by March 2015 and will hold them to account for doing so. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires the mandate to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it remains up to date. It is important to provide the NHS with stability and continuity of purpose and we therefore propose to carry forward all the existing 24 objectives.

At the same time, the scale of the challenge facing the NHS and wider health and care system is becoming increasingly clear. There have been crucial developments and new evidence that has emerged since the publication of the first mandate, which calls on Government and NHS England to act. The key proposed changes reflect these core priorities:

the actions being taken forward by NHS England in response to the Francis report to transform the care people receive;

working with NHS England to develop a vulnerable older people plan, which will improve support for older people and those with long-term conditions, particularly through reform of primary care given their pivotal role within communities; and

the need for the NHS to contribute to securing the recovery of the economy and make better use of resources in the light of the challenging fiscal climate.

On the second of these priorities, the Government are also launching today dedicated engagement on the vulnerable older people plan, working jointly with NHS England. The engagement will seek views from staff, patients and the public on how to achieve the ambition of how more integrated out-of-hospital care, building on the strong tradition and values of the family doctor.

In addition to the three priorities, the Government are also proposing to make a number of targeted changes to the current objectives which are thought to be essential to deliver the improvements in people’s care. The consultation document sets out where the Government are proposing to make these changes for the period April 2014 to March 2015.

The Government welcome views on the proposals and invites comments through the consultation process.

“Refreshing the Mandate to NHS England: 2014-15 Consultation” has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.