Those are not ConHome's words. They are not from The Telegraph or Mail. They are not from John Redwood's blog or from the TaxPayers' Alliance. They are certainly not from David Cameron! "The NHS cannot be immune" from cuts is the verdict of Niall Dickson of the King's Fund. He writes in today's Independent:
"The NHS cannot be immune. There is an opportunity now to redesign it. Length of stay in hospital will have to be reduced to push down the cost per patient; day surgery can be increased. We need to do a lot more to stop people being admitted to hospital unnecessarily. They could be better treated in their communities, allowing a reduction in the number of beds. We have too many centres in London for stroke care. Politicians are nervous about anything that looks like closure of a hospital. But if it creates a more efficient service, we ought to get on and do it."
The Conservatives are currently pledged to safeguard NHS funding.
Andrew Haldenby of Reform has recommended a 10% cut in doctors' pay. Most ConHome readers were unhappy at the suggestion but it would save £1bn pa.
