A royal commission is not the way to solve the problems facing the NHS | Richard Vize

Calls are growing for a commission, but it would lead to years of policy paralysis. The health service doesn’t need a grand plan – it needs a courageous government

As patients die in corridors and A&E performance drops to its lowest ever level, calls are growing for a royal commission to address the mounting problems facing the NHS. This would be a big mistake.

This week the commission idea was raised in prime minister’s questions and the Centre for Policy Studies has published a remit for one. The attraction of a royal commission is that it offers a chance to cut through the party political noise to allow calm consideration of the issues. But the realities of setting one up far outweigh the potential benefits.

Related: What will it take for the government to confront pressures on the NHS? | Richard Vize

Any report would be out of date before it was published, and would sink under the weight of its own ambition.

Related: The NHS is under threat. Only a new model of care will save it | Kailash Chand

Continue reading... January 12, 2018 at 05:33PM