December 2015

In England, the NHS is undergoing a period of change stimulated by the need to improve standards of care for increasing numbers of patients and an ageing population against a back drop of limited resources. The CEO of NHS England, Simon Steven’s five years forward view offers a conceptual plan for the future including a plan for resourcing the NHS but also introducing a framework for modernization and change (NHS, 2014). The NHS plan backs prevention and in particular “hard hitting” public health measures. It also talks about developing out of hospital care, removing barriers to integrated care and developing local solutions. The plan talks about local flexibility, backing diverse solutions and local leadership in place of the “distraction” of further national reorganization.