Primary Care: Targets Debate
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Lord Colwyn
Main Page: Lord Colwyn (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)Department Debates - View all Lord Colwyn's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(9 years, 2 months ago)
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Lord Prior of Brampton
The noble Lord makes a very perceptive point. Demography is driving healthcare. The whole thrust of government policy is to treat as many people as possible outside acute hospital settings. Over the next five, 10, 20 years, I expect to see a far greater share of the health budget going to primary and community care, and a lower percentage to acute care.
Lord Colwyn (Con)
My Lords, in view of the massive costs of agency staff working in the NHS, could not the Government consider setting up their own agency?
Lord Prior of Brampton
My Lords, it is our intention —for all kinds of reasons; cost, safety and quality of care—to reduce our dependence upon staffing provided by agencies. We would much rather see staff employed on a permanent basis or through hospital banks.