Five steps to save the NHS: the Royal College of Physicians launches its pre-election manifesto.
The RCP is calling on all parties to commit to five priority areas to rescue the NHS and re-establish it as a world-leading health service.
A manifesto for medicine – for a healthier nation with access to excellent care provides a clear plan to transform health and care in the UK. It calls for workforce enhancement, a transformation of services, a cross-government strategy to tackle health inequalities and prevent ill health, a focus on the climate emergency and ensuring research opportunities for all doctors.
Essential steps for immediate government action include taking a more strategic approach to expanding the medical workforce, investing in digital infrastructure and commissioning a review of postgraduate medical training that looks at how doctors want to learn and work in the future.
Dr Sarah Clarke, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
“Our once world-renowned national health service is in crisis. We do not have enough doctors to meet demand, the staff we do have are overwhelmed and many of our new and brightest recruits are leaving the workforce. Patient care has been significantly impacted as a result. This will only continue unless we see radical change.
“Our Manifesto for medicine sets out a clear guide for all parties. By investing in these key areas, UK citizens could once again have access to a world-class healthcare service which is robust, responsive, sustainable, and innovative. We must see the next government prioritise the health of our nation – now and for generations to come.”
Key priorities of the manifesto:
Workforce enhancement: The RCP calls for an increase in the number of physicians with sufficient time to provide outstanding patient care. This includes prioritising staff retention, expanding postgraduate training posts and protecting time for career development, education and research for all doctors.
Transformation of healthcare services: Empowering physicians to collaborate with patients in redesigning healthcare services is essential. The manifesto calls for bolstering hospital and community-based capacity, reducing waiting lists and transforming outpatient care through workforce expansion and system investment.
Prevention of ill health: A cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities and prevent illness is paramount. The RCP advocates for the reintroduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, measures to combat obesity and air pollution, and a comprehensive plan to address the social determinants of health, such as poor housing, food quality, low income and air pollution.
Sustainability: Bold action is required to tackle climate change and protect public health. The next government must prioritise a just transition from fossil fuels, ensure a credible pathway to meet the UK’s emission reduction targets and adequately fund the NHS to enhance the environmental sustainability of healthcare.
Innovation in medicine: The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the importance of clinical research. The manifesto calls for fully embedding research in everyday medical practice, recognising it as part of direct clinical care, and incentivising healthcare professionals to engage in research activities.
Read the RCP's election manifesto in full: A manifesto for medicine – for a healthier nation with access to excellent care