Responding to a new report from the King’s Fund calling for a rebalancing of NHS funding towards primary and community services and an overhaul existing hospital-focused performance targets, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said:

"Trust leaders overwhelmingly back the government’s ambitions to move care closer to home with our recent survey showing 98% supported plans to move care out of hospitals and into the community.

"They know this ‘shift’ has the potential to be a win-win situation for patients, and for the whole health and care system. Focusing on preventing ill-health and supporting people to stay well and independent at home for longer could have a huge impact on easing bottlenecks in hospitals and alleviating pressure in other parts of a seriously overstretched and under-pressure health and care system.

"As this report outlines though, to make this ambition a reality, the government – and the NHS - face difficult decisions about rebalancing funding and targets to support and expand capacity in community and primary care.

"Action is long overdue. The upcoming 10-year plan for health presents a critical opportunity to finally deliver this longstanding national ambition."