Today, Joe Robertson took part in the first Health and Social Care Committee public evidence session, whereby the Committee questioned Lord Darzi, the Author of the Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England. The purpose of the session was to invite Lord Darzi to expand on the three key themes of the report – in particular allowing Members of Parliament to ask Lord Darzi to expand on the reasoning behind his findings, comment on related issues that were outside the scope of his review or emphasize elements that he feels have been overlooked in the mead coverage. Key issues included:
- Access and Quality of NHS Services
- Social Care and the NHS
- Preventative healthcare, health inequality and health and economic activity.
- NHS Productivity.
- NHS Structural Reform
Joe Robertson MP, noted that social care was outside the remit of the report but touched upon critical areas such as funding for social care, workforce challenges, integration of the NHS and Social Care Services and the cost of inaction.
Joe Robertson MP said:
“Your report finds serious long-term underfunding in social care. Quite apart from the structural issues and remarks on the knock-on effects on effects for the NHS. The current government has made its first decision on funding through the budget and allocated broadly £26 billion for the NHS and £0.6 billion or £600 million for social care. So, in percentage terms, that’s 98% for the NHS, 2% for social care. In your view do you believe that is an appropriate apportionment of funds available as between NHS and social care. 98% versus 2%.”
Joe Robertson MP concluded his questions by asking Lord Darzi to comment on the continuing healthcare challenges and to answer why fewer people are receiving continuous healthcare, and why there are so many cases of a breakdown between the NHS and providers.
