The outcome of the general election marks the first Conservative majority Government for 18 years. Despite polls anticipating results between Labour and the Conservatives to be tight, David Cameron's party achieved a convincing victory. So what effect will a Conservative majority Commons have on the NHS?
Health and social care was one of the key issues addressed during the 2015 general election campaign, and the Conservative Party have committed to spend at least an additional £8 billion on the NHS over and above inflation by 2020 (The Conservative Party, 2015). This is in line with the amount outlined by Simon Stevens in the Five Year Forward View (NHS England et al, 2015) as being required if the NHS is to be sustainable. However, the Conservatives have not yet indicated where this money will come from or how much will come each year.
The Conservatives plan to continue to strive for a truly 7-day NHS, and aim to give all patients access to a GP from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week by 2020 (The Conservative Party, 2015). They have guaranteed that everyone over 75 years will get a same day appointment if they need one, and have said they will train and retain an extra 5 000 GPs (The Conservative Party, 2015). However, analysis published by the Royal College of General Practitioners suggests that under current systems, patients will have to wait until 2034 for the proposed additional GPs (Rimmer, 2015). The College has estimated that 8 000 more GPs will be needed in England by 2020 to keep up with patient demand, and so an emergency package of measures is needed if this is to be realised (Rimmer, 2015).
Other priorities for the Conservatives include equal priority for the treatment of mental conditions and the need to integrate health and social care systems by joining up services between homes, clinics and hospitals (The Conservative Party, 2015).
The impact for ambulance services of 5 years under the Tories is unclear. However, it is likely that the gradual shift in focus to treat people at home rather than in A&E will see an enhanced role for paramedics. That being said, it will not be easy. While paramedics are well placed to provide additional health services, February saw the profession being added to the shortage occupation list for the first time, as increased pressures brought on by longer hours and growing stress levels have led to many looking for alternative lines of work.
NHS Providers chief executive, Chris Hopson, has argued that until performances and finances are stabilised the NHS cannot transform (Hopson, 2015). Going forward this will undoubtedly be the challenge for the Conservative Government. By addressing these factors as a priority, only then can patient quality of care be ensured.