Stevens hits out at raft of ‘pound foolish’ government decisions

‘Chronic short-termism’ by government is undermining the nation’s ability to respond to another pandemic, a previous NHS England chief executive has said. 

In his first written statement to the covid public inquiry, Lord Stevens said ministers had failed to upgrade NHS infrastructure and modernise social care, delayed public health improvements, and cut testing and research programmes.

This is despite the 2023 national risk register identifying a further pandemic as the highest risk, with “5-25%pa

Lord Stevens – NHSE CEO from 2014 to summer 2021 – said it was “encouraging the government has now permitted NHS England to publish a funded long-term workforce plan”, but added: “There is also a strong case for revisiting several other national decisions.

“These include the dismantling of some community infection surveillance infrastructure; cancelling some scientific and clinical research programmes developed during the pandemic; postponing various preventative health measures; deferring reform of social care; and further delaying upgrades of health buildings, equipment and technology.”

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Source: HSJ, 3 November 2023