17April 2002

Number16

 

Subject

 

Response to the Wanless final report.

 

Background

 

Derek Wanless, former head of NatWest Bank, was asked lastyear by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to assess the long-term resourcerequirements for the health service in the UK.An interim report was published setting out the main trends affectinghealthcare over the next 20 years followed by a period of publicconsultation. Conclusions andrecommendations were published today in the Wanless Final Report SecuringOur Future Health: Taking a Long-Term View.Copies of the full report are available on www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Consultations_and_Legislation/wanless/consult_wanless_final.cfm

 

BUPAs position

 

The final Wanless reportprovides further confirmation that in terms of responsiveness and healthoutcomes the UK is below most of its European neighbours. BUPA strongly endorses Mr Wanlessconclusion that more money alone, whether from taxes or other means, will notsolve the problem. More fundamentalreform of national healthcare is required.Our estimates suggest that, without such reform, even a seven per centannual increase in funding in real terms over five years will not have amaterial impact on waiting times.

 

BUPA believes the overallsolution involves the public and private health and social care sectors workingtogether more closely on both the funding and delivery of services, leading toimprovements in responsiveness andflexibility and the extension of choice and competition. It might also reduce the future burden onthe public purse.

 

We endorse the reportsrecognition that no review of healthcare would be complete withoutconsideration of social care funding and provision particularly for theelderly. Much needs to be done to reverse the decline in the availability oflong-term beds and make intermediate care a reality.

 

In addition to investing in the health of the nation, BUPA believesthat greater emphasis needs to be given to allowing people the freedom tochoose accessible supplementary healthcare services. Over seven million people already make this choice and in doingso pay twice for their healthcare - through taxes and out of disposable income.They should be encouraged, notpenalised.

 

Furtherinformation: MarkBassett, Head of Public Policy, 020 7656 2491