Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase productivity within the NHS.

The Government is taking comprehensive steps to increase productivity within the National Health Service. The recent Autumn Budget committed to achieving a 2% productivity growth target in 2025/26. To support this, over £2 billion has been allocated to enhance NHS technology and digital infrastructure. This investment aims to improve electronic patient records, enhance cybersecurity, and expand access through the NHS App. These measures will free up staff time and reduce administrative burdens, increasing overall productivity gains.

The NHS is also working on a 10-Year Health Plan which will set out key reforms to address the recommendations from Lord Darzi's review. These reforms will also drive productivity improvements, and include the aims to optimise clinical workflows, enhance integration between primary, secondary, and community care, and increase focus on preventive measures for chronic diseases.