NHS: Health and Social Care Act 2012 Reforms

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd October 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, let us come back to the Question, which is about funding. If the picture was so rosy, why is it that a record number of NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are in deficit? If the picture was so rosy, what does the Minister have to say about the report a couple of weeks ago by the Nuffield Trust? It states:

“Prompt access to services has declined … In mental health services, demand”,

is,

“outstripping capacity for urgent care and for younger people. The wellbeing of frontline staff in both health and social care is”,

deteriorating. When he says that the Government are not ashamed of what they did, who is he speaking for? Is he really speaking for the Prime Minister and the leadership of his party?

[Earl Howe]

I am indeed and the NHS is under pressure for the reason that the noble Lord has just quoted—demand has risen dramatically. However, productivity has also risen dramatically, which it failed to do under the previous Administration.