This year is looking to be another extremely busy one for the NHS following the escalation of industrial action by health workers in January. This was on an unprecedented scale during what was already the toughest winter to date for the health service. So, what's next?
6 February is due to be the biggest day of industrial action in the history of the NHS.
Deputy Chief Executive
In the final stretch of winter, we'll have coordinated strike action from ambulance workers and nurses. 6 February is due to be the biggest day of industrial action in the history of the NHS. The strikes are hitting patients hard, with operations and procedures being rescheduled – adding to the existing record-high backlog of care. To date, there have been more than 88,000 appointments postponed due to the walkouts, which started in December. Many trust leaders fear this figure could skyrocket. They're working hard to mitigate the immediate impact of strikes on patients but are concerned about the long-term impact on patients and the mental health of hard-working staff.
Frontline workers desperately want to get on with delivering care for patients but it's clear they feel they have no choice but to take this action. The NHS staff survey, which comes out in March, will help capture how they're feeling. Our message on the walkouts is clear: the government and unions need to reach an agreement on pay for this financial year without further delay.
On 15 March, chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt will set out his budget for the coming financial year. It will come in the context of severe operational pressures, disputes over pay and high inflation. It will be vital he fully funds the long-term workforce plan announced in last year's Autumn Statement to ensure the NHS has the workforce it needs to meet future demand. We also urge the government to reaffirm its commitment to capital investment and to provide urgent funding to speed up the removal of the dangerously outdated reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) from the NHS estate.
On 5 July, the NHS turns 75. This will be a chance to recognise and celebrate the vital contribution the NHS and its hard-working staff make every day to people up and down the country. This comes at a pivotal time for a service still grappling with the impact of COVID-19, huge backlogs of care – including for mental health and critical community health services – and unprecedented pressures on urgent and emergency care. This will be a moment for the nation to reflect on the huge impact the NHS has on our daily lives and to thank those hard working, dedicated staff who strive to deliver for their local communities.
In the autumn, we expect King Charles III to deliver his first "King's Speech" – setting out the government's legislative priorities for the next session of parliament. It's vital the government come forward with legislation to update the Mental Health Act to make it fit for the 21st century. We have worked to influence the draft Bill in recent months and would urge the government to ensure this legislation goes ahead to ensure we have a mental health service fit for the needs of today. Last year, we saw the biggest reforms to the NHS is nearly a decade in the Health and Care Act 2022. This legislation put new integrated care systems on a statutory footing, laying the foundations for greater integration between the NHS, social care and public health services. These reforms need time to bed down, so any opportunity to amend this legislation should be resisted.
We'll be working hard over the course of this year to continue highlighting the vital role trusts play – and to ensure the views of trusts are clearly heard by those in power.
Deputy Chief Executive
These are just a few key moments to come in 2023. Underlying them all is the ever-shifting political landscape in which we operate: we have a prime minister who's only just passed his first 100 days in office, as well as a new chancellor, the Labour party setting out their stall on the NHS and a general election on the horizon. It's clear the NHS will be a key battle ground amid all of this. We'll be working hard over the course of this year to continue highlighting the vital role trusts play – and to ensure the views of trusts are clearly heard by those in power.
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