Too often patients have to wait too long. There are unacceptable variations in standards across the country. Constraints on funding mean that staff often work under great pressure and lack the time and resources they need to offer the best possible service. To tackle these problems, the government has decided to make an historic commitment to increase the funding of the NHS over the next four years. The Prime Minister's announcement in March of large, sustained investment in the NHS provides the funding that doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, managers and other staff have called for over the years.
More money is, however, only the starting point.
The challenge is to use the resources available to achieve real benefits for patients and to ensure that the NHS is modernised to meet modern public expectations. Since March, NHS staff, patients' representatives and others have responded to these challenges through the work undertaken by the Modernisation Action Teams. The teams have undertaken a detailed analysis of the problems facing the NHS in their area, informed by the results of public and staff consultation. There has also been consultation with NHS frontline staff, with patients and the public and with representative groups. It is this inclusive process that has shaped the contents of this NHS Plan.