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NHS Partners Network Chief Executive, David Hare, responded to The King's Fund report 'Understanding NHS financial pressures' 

“NHS hospitals are currently working flat out to cope with the pressures in A&E. However, as the Kings Fund report rightly highlights, it is important that the millions of people requiring vital elective treatment such as hip operations are not forgotten. We therefore echo the report’s concerns that the rise in block contracts for elective procedures is having an adverse impact on patient care as demand is rising, and call for a greater focus on ensuring patients are allowed to choose their care provider with the funding following their decision.

“The report is also right in saying that far too little attention is currently paid to community health services which are vital if the NHS is to move to a more preventative model. The independent sector, which plays a significant role in providing NHS community services, should be used more extensively to invest in new and remodelled NHS community services which help keep patients out of hospital and are also there for them after they have been discharged.”

The Kings Fund report - Understanding NHS financial pressures