NHS is facing 'toughest year in its history'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Next year could be the "toughest" the NHS has faced in its 62-year history, hospital managers have warned the Government.
Patient care could suffer and hospitals close unless ministers can successfully manage their ambitious £15-20bn efficiency drive alongside the wholesale re-organisation of NHS structures.
The warning came from Nigel Edwards, acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals and trusts.
"There is no escaping the conclusion that 2011 will be really tough for the NHS, possibly the toughest year it has faced," he said. "If the issues are not fully recognised, they will be dealt with poorly and patients will be the losers.
"We need policy makers to fully understand the pressures, to act to mitigate the risks and to persuade those involved that we are on the right course. The Government... must tell a compelling story about why the reforms will deliver a significant improvement for patients and how [they] will actually work."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments