NHS needs more money say senior Tory and Lib Dem MPs

Posted 30/06/2014

The BBC reported today that senior politicians have warned that more money is needed to deal with increasing demands on the NHS.

The Liberal Democrat former health minister Paul Burstow warned the NHS could collapse within five years without extra money. He put the level of extra funding needed for the NHS to function properly at £15 billion over five years. The Department of Health said it was confident of making £20 billion in savings to reinvest in frontline care.

Sophie Bales, a medical injury solicitor at Ashtons Legal, comments:

“It is clear that funding cuts and staffing pressures have been taking their toll on frontline NHS services. It is positive that this has been recognised by senior politicians and that steps are being taken to reinvest in frontline care.

However, this reinvestment alone will not be sufficient to ease the pressures on the NHS. It is important that money and resources are also invested in social care to pay for care home places and provide support for vulnerable people in their own homes. If this support is not provided then elderly and vulnerable people are more likely to need hospital care, increasing the demands on the NHS”.