Budget funding boost important first step towards putting NHS on sustainable footing

Responding to the Autumn Budget 2024 Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 

“This budget is an important first step towards putting the NHS back on to a sustainable footing, with a vital real terms increases in revenue funding and a massive boost to capital funding. This is particularly welcome given the very difficult financial position the government is in. It is also very welcome to see that the government has listened to us and others on the crucial need for capital funding to enable the health service to boost productivity.

“The government is right that it will take more than one budget to build an NHS fit for the future. As the Chancellor said in her statement, this budget is the down payment on the government's planned NHS reform, with the next phase expected to come with the 10 year strategy and spending review next year. 

"NHS leaders support the government’s ambitions to meet the rising complexity of patient need, hit performance targets and deliver the best possible care for patients. Our members recognise that investment must come with reform and so will do everything they can to rise to the challenge so that the NHS can meet the government’s expectations on productivity and performance improvements. 

“The funding announced today has a lot to do - it will need to cover recently agreed pay deals for resident doctors and other NHS staff, meet growing demand, recover performance against key targets and transform the way local services are delivered. There will also be some big challenges ahead across mental health and community services, primary care in particular, especially as we approach winter. 

"We will need to look at the detail to see how much funding will be for new investments compared to funding existing commitments such as existing pay deals, but £3.1 billion of additional capital funding will be pivotal for boosting productivity through repairing crumbling estates, replacing out-of-date equipment and rolling out the latest digital technology.  

“We hope that the government will use next year’s spending review and 10 year strategy to continue to increase revenue spending and capital investment to give the NHS the long-term financial security it needs going forward. This budget is the start of a journey towards a sustainable future for the NHS, that will be delivered through the government’s three shifts.”