Responding to the Health Foundation's analysis showing the NHS budget squeezed by inflation and population growth, RCN Director for England Patricia Marquis said:
“The NHS budget must take account of our ageing population and increasing demand – failing to do so means stealth cuts for the NHS which could have profound consequences for patient care.
“At a time when there are chronic staff shortages, applications to nursing courses are collapsing, and long waits for treatment have become normalised, this choice to under-invest in the NHS cannot be justified.
“This latest analysis comes as reports say local NHS trusts are under pressure to cut staffing numbers to make this year’s budget add up. Cutting the NHS budget, especially on education and training, will push more nursing staff out of the health service and have an impact on the quality of care.
“The NHS is in crisis and deserves better than a government sitting on its hands. The Health Secretary must urgently address why nursing staff should accept being asked to do more with less yet again.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
The analysis shows that NHS England’s budget of £164bn is essentially flat in real terms compared with the previous year. However, when adjusted for a growing and ageing population, NHS England’s budget is due to be 1% lower in 2024/25 compared with the previous year.
It also shows that other DHSC spending, including for health care staff education and training and the public health grant, is due to experience a 4.7% real terms funding decrease in 2024/25 compared to the previous year.
