LSE–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS: re-laying the foundations for an equitable and efficient health and care service after COVID-19

The Commission reports although NHS is held as leading example of universal healthcare, there are large staffing shortfalls, and relative low funding, and previous deprioritisation of public health and social care have led to poor national population health before the pandemic

SPS commentary:

The Commission was established in 2018, to mark the 70th anniversary of the UK NHS. It sought to evaluate the NHS and its role in health in the UK. The report makes seven core recommendations, considering a vision for the NHS in the long-term: working together for a publicly funded, integrated and innovative service that improves health and reduces inequalities for all. The authors comment on how the Covid-19 pandemic has made them  re-evaluate how the NHS operates, and fostered substantial appetite for change. Failure to re-lay the foundations of the NHS risks a continued deterioration in service provision, worsening health outcomes and inequalities, and an NHS that is poorly equipped to respond to future major threats to health.

Four health policy articles accompany the Commission report:

  • The changing health needs of the UK population
  • Securing a sustainable and fit-for-purpose UK health and care workforce
  • What is the right level of spending needed for health and care in the UK?
  • Health information technology and digital innovation for national learning health and care systems

The Lancet

Resource links:

Editorial

The changing health needs of the UK population

Securing a sustainable and fit-for-purpose UK health and care workforce

What is the right level of spending needed for health and care in the UK?

Health information technology and digital innovation for national learning health and care systems