November 2021
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This conference examined policy, operational, and organisational priorities for tackling NHS waiting times - including issues around the effective use of funding in the context of the new plans from the Government for supporting the NHS in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as priorities for increased funding and building capacity going forward.
It was an opportunity to discuss the utilisation of funding and innovation that had been announced as part of Government efforts to address waiting times, including:
- the Government’s October 2021 Budget, which announced:
- £1.5bn allocated for the next three years for surgical hubs and elective service recovery
- £2.3bn over the next three years for diagnostic services and enabling care closer to home
- £2.1bn over the next three years for the use of digital technology within hospitals
- Building Back Better: Our plan for health and social care, which includes:
- £2bn funding for the elective care backlog
- the aim for 30% more elective activity by 2024-25 compared to pre-pandemic levels
- a £250m Elective Recovery Technology Fund
- £250m to improve capacity within operating theatres and hospital productivity
Delegates also discussed the implementation of plans to recover waiting times and address the backlog, including the utilisation of allocated funding and the scaling up of innovative trials.
The discussion came as both the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Chief Executive of NHS England and NHS Improvement make addressing the backlog a key priority, while identifying it as a significant challenge.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote contributions at this conference from Professor Tim Briggs, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust; and Chair, Getting It Right First Time; Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Senior Advisor, PwC; and Former Secretary of State for Health 1999-2003; and Professor Neil Mortensen, President, Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Sessions in the agenda looked at:
- strategic priorities for improving waiting times
- managing backlogs and capacity as the NHS deals with the impact of the pandemic
- supporting the NHS workforce and addressing long-term challenges
- collaboration and care pathways, and boosting productivity and encouraging innovation
- the role of the third and independent sectors in meeting demand
- the use of digitally-enabled care platforms and technology in reducing waiting lists
Attendees
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places were reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care; the Department of Health, NI; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Health Select Committee; National Audit Office; and the Welsh Government. Representatives who also attended were from AbbVie; Appraise Me; Boehringer Ingelheim; Candesic; Device Access UK; Fimatix UK; HeartFlow; Incisive Health; Independent Age; Kings College Hospital NHS Trust; Macmillan Cancer Support; Marwood Group; Mayden House; NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group; NHS Resolution; Res Consortium; Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust; Sheffield Hallam University; and The Piers Harrington Foundation.
A press pass had been reserved by a representative from The Independent.
