Darzi review: Time to reset the contract between patients and the NHS?

Lord Ara Darzi’s review of the NHS has concluded the service is in a ‘critical condition’ with long waiting lists, a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health and problems for people accessing services.

The review will inform the Government’s 10-year plan to reform the NHS, consultation on which is expected to start later this year.

Responding to the publication of Professor Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England, William Pett, our Head of Policy, said: 

"People will welcome Lord Darzi's prognosis on the NHS. Although the NHS does much good, patients repeatedly share their frustrations and confusion about accessing care. 

"GP access is difficult, NHS dentistry is in disarray, and people face excessive waiting times for hospital treatment. These challenges are not experienced equally, with poorer communities hit hardest.

"Restoring public confidence in the NHS and delivering timely, safe and quality care must focus on the issues that matter most to people now and in the future.

"We’re calling for improvements to patient communications and administration, giving people a choice of how to access care, a better listening culture within the NHS, and for services to be measured against the quality of patient experiences, not just the length of time they wait for care.

"The public will welcome the chance to help shape the future of healthcare and reset the contract between them and the NHS. Especially if it results in clearer rights, more responsive services and an equal say in their care." 

Healthwatch Kingston's Including Communities Report

Healthwatch Kingston's Including Communities Report reflects some of the frustrations felt by different populations in Kingston when attempting to access NHS services. Vulnerable populations, in particular, are at risk of disparate access to healthcare and other social and support services due to many complex factors which include economic, cultural, ethnic and/or health characteristics.

Lack of access to primary care is something we are continuing to hear about. We are also hearing about long waits in A&E and for other secondary care services. For some people a lack of access in primary care leads to long waits in acute settings, but not always and it is not the situation for everyone. 

Reported barriers to accessing local health and social care cited by the participants included:

• Administrative and legal barriers (especially for refugees, asylum seekers other migrant communities/people experiencing homelessness).
• Lack of knowledge and understanding of health care systems and people’s rights.
• Language and cultural barriers.
• Stigma and discrimination.
• Limited appointment availability.
• Lack of access to regular work and financial problems.

This report recognises an obvious need for improved timely access to provision, along with improved communication between health, social care professionals, and our more vulnerable communities, so that the gaps identified by local people are rectified.