Richard Murray, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund, commented on the National Audit Office’s new report on the financial sustainability of the NHS

‘The National Audit Office (NAO) is right to be concerned about NHS finances. There is already strong evidence that patient care is being affected by financial pressures, and we share the NAO’s concerns about capital funding being used to plug short-term financial gaps.

‘The government will need to look again at NHS funding in future financial statements. In particular, the pressures will peak in 2018/19 and 2019/20, when there is almost no planned growth in real-terms NHS funding.

‘For this week’s Autumn Statement, the most pressing priority must be to find more funding for social care. Not only is the social care system increasingly struggling to meet the needs of older people, their families and carers, but extra funding for social care will also help relieve pressure on the NHS.’

Notes to editors: 

The King’s Fund is an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. We help to shape policy and practice through research and analysis; develop individuals, teams and organisations; promote understanding of the health and social care system; and bring people together to learn, share knowledge and debate. Our vision is that the best possible care is available to all.

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