Darzi comments on NHS funding

He stated that a focus on quality will be the key to tackling the financial pressures ahead and said that he did not expect current growth rates in spending to be sustained. “We are just about tipping the average in Europe when it comes to funding. I have no doubt that we will maintain this, but we also have a responsibility – the NHS is not free; it is paid for with tax payers’ money. It is vitally important that what we spend this money better, which is what I have spent the last two years doing with ‘High quality care for all’. The health sector is the one sector where quality may be cheaper,” he commented. He added that there is “a responsibility for politicians and clinicians to use resources better” and said that he had no doubt that, by addressing inefficiencies in the system, this could be achieved. One example where savings have been achieved, he said, was through improved infection rates. “We have made an investment and a huge drive in improving quality in terms of healthcare-acquired infections. Some have suggested that up to £200 m has been saved by reducing the MRSA rate by 50%. That is what I think we should be doing more of. We have the biggest expenditure in the history of the NHS of £109 bn. In the next few years, if we focus on quality, I believe this will get us through this difficult time.” Lord Darzi was asked what faith did he have that the necessary changes required for the NHS will be implemented after his departure, to ensure more value is obtained from the system. He replied that the system is comprised of clinicians, like himself, who need to “take this mantle and make it happen.” “I believe what I achieved in the last few years, while working with the Government, has far exceeded my expectations. This Government has invested heavily in the NHS and got it off its knees. In my own practice, I have seen huge changes over the last 10 years. However the challenges in the future are very different. We need to keep the momentum going,” he concluded.