- Neil Gray speaking at conference hosted by think tank Enlighten, Chest Heart & Stroke, and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- New research shows 93% of people think NHS needs reformed; 77% think without reform NHS will be worse in 10 years than it is today
- Half (50%) think that private providers should play a bigger role in delivering NHS services
The independent, non-party think tank Enlighten has published polling by the Diffley Partnership ahead of a major conference on the future of healthcare, to be hosted in Edinburgh.
The conference takes place at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, hosted by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Enlighten, Scotland’s independent think tank. Amongst the speakers are:
- Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- Auditor General Stephen Boyle
- Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
- Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie MSP, Lib Dem Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Patrick Harvie MSP and Brian Whittle MSP
The extensive new polling, covering the NHS and social care, shows:
- 93% think the NHS needs either “significant” or “moderate” change and reform, with 88% thinking the same of social care
- 88% think healthcare should remain free at the point of use, but 63% think the current model is unsustainable and 50% would use, and would like a bigger role, for the private sector (with only one-in-eight people “strongly opposed” to that)
- Over 80% believe that improving social care should be a top priority to reduce pressure on the NHS, but less than half (42%) report that they understand how social care is funded and delivered, and only around one-quarter believe it is working well
Some more detailed questions revealed detailed nuance about people’s feelings on the future of the NHS:
- As many people (29%) want to see the private sector’s or third sector’s role expanded as want to see taxpayers (including themselves) be asked to pay more to fund healthcare services (28%)
- 71% think the NHS is worse now than 10 years ago, and 77% think it will be worse 10 years from now
- 43% said that one of their top three ways for improving healthcare would be to introduce means testing so that higher earners contribute financially towards non-urgent or elective healthcare services they use.
RCPE President Professor Andrew Elder said:
“The College recognises that under the current funding envelope, it is not possible to continue providing everything that modern healthcare can now offer, from “cradle to grave”.
“There must be a conversation about whether public funding can be increased. Or, if it cannot be, the conversation must move to how we make reasoned decisions about what can – and cannot – be provided via the public purse.
“Policy makers cannot continue to pretend that the NHS can do everything for everybody all of the time, with no change in funding. This would only let down patients. A “national conversation” on the future sustainability of health and care services is urgently needed, as the pressures on these services are relentless.
“I look forward to hearing from the politicians on our political panel about how they intend to lead or contribute to the national conversation – with input from the public and healthcare community – and how they will collaborate to ensure that reform of health and social care is delivered for people in Scotland.”
Enlighten Director Chris Deerin, who will chair the political panel, said:
“The people on the front line of delivering health and social care in Scotland are increasingly telling us that the system is unsustainable, often stretched beyond capacity and overly complex.
“We also know that the nation’s health is deteriorating, that inequalities are widening and that with an ageing population demand for health and social care services can only grow.
“The polling we commissioned ahead of today’s conference shows that the users of the services see that too, and accept that the status quo is not an option.
“We hope that our conference today can provoke, inspire and encourage constructive debate around what reform to the NHS and social care might look like.”
Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said:
“As CEO of Scotland’s largest health charity, supporting people with chest, heart, stroke and Long Covid conditions, it’s no surprise to me that the public wants NHS reform – and they want action.
“At Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), we see the system not from within a boardroom or task force, but through the experiences of people falling between its cracks. People living with long-term health conditions are increasingly being left behind. The NHS itself is not irreparable; what’s unsustainable is our inability to create and implement the change needed to tackle current challenges.
“Real change must be rooted in humility and courage from Scotland’s political leaders and must be driven by the lived experiences of those who rely on our services. Today’s conference is a chance to reset the conversation towards commitments of meaningful change.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Enlighten is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Enlighten is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.
- Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is Scotland’s largest health charity supporting people with chest, heart, stroke and Long Covid conditions to live life to the full. CHSS provides practical and emotional support through its Advice Line, community healthcare services, peer support groups, health defence education and health checks. It also offers PIF TICK-accredited health information, training, and campaigns to improve policies and services.
- The polling of 1,020 adults in Scotland was conducted by The Diffley Partnership from 5-15 October. Full results here
For Enlighten media contact Andy Maciver, [email protected], 07855 261 244