Looking into the future: Next steps reviewed

It would be difficult to imagine that the public and all those who work in healthcare and in particular the NHS – in everyone of its’ many and varied sectors, is not aware of the current pressure caused by squeezed finances and an inexorable increase in workload. It is however very welcome to see that NHS England and NHS Improvement have their eye firmly on progress and how that may be achieved in the next two years, those remaining of the ambitious vision set out by the Five Year Forward View in October 2014. The report identifying the next couple of years, across the health and care sectors was published at the end of March 2017. The report, Next steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View (FYFV NS)1 will be analysed to identify what NHS Trusts are being asked to do within the financial settlement allowed. 

Media reports during the recent winter pressures were relentless, and many apposite questions were asked about how the service can continue on the present trajectory. The budget in March 2017 brought some welcome relief with an additional £1 billion to enable social care to ensure that the impact on the NHS is relieved a little. However, given the pressures in that service, even that much money may only have a short term effect. Pressure on the NHS and the lack of facilities to discharge the elderly and frail back to their homes with appropriate support, may yet prove to be unachievable. 

Acute care