Today, Lord Darzi published his independent report on the state of the NHS in England. Its conclusions are devastating, describing the NHS as in a 'critical condition'.
The report’s key findings included:
- Long waits in A&E are causing 14,000 additional deaths each year.
- 2.8 million people are unable to work because they are in poor health.
- The under-resourced social care sector is in a ‘dire’ state and is putting ‘an increasingly large burden on families and on the NHS, with a profound human cost and economic consequences’.
- The lack of investment in NHS buildings has left ‘crumbling buildings’, mental health patients in “Victoria-era cells infested with vermin” and “parts of the NHS operating in decrepit portacabins’.
Today, the Prime Minister responded in a speech, saying that there will be ‘no more money without reform‘ of the NHS.
We’re appalled but not surprised to read the findings of the Darzi Report. We work in close partnership with the NHS to provide our non-profit mental health services, so we see the pressures its services are under firsthand.
We also see the amazing impact that the NHS is still making on people’s lives, as its teams are working harder than ever under extremely challenging circumstances.
Many of our services, such as Together in a Crisis, our 24-hour adult nursing services, or our mental health first response service have been designed specifically to relieve pressure on our NHS colleagues.
“Many of the social determinants of health – such as poor quality housing, low income, insecure employment – have moved in the wrong direction over the past 15 years with the result that the NHS has faced rising demand for healthcare from a society in distress.”
— Lord Darzi
Adam Crampsie, Everyturn’s Chief Executive, said:
“The report describes a ‘society’ in distress’, and this is certainly something we see daily in our services. In 2024, we have supported 4,000 people through our Together in a Crisis service alone, and over 50% of those had been pushed into crisis by financial pressures.
“The link between someone’s life circumstances and their mental health are undeniable, as are the health inequalities faced by our most vulnerable communities. We know that the poorest 20% of our population are 2-3 times more likely to develop mental health problems. Discrimination experienced by racialised and LGBTQ+ communities also makes them more likely to experience distress.
“While reforms are discussed to improve people’s experiences of the NHS, we would urge focus and investment in community-based social care services, to tackle the issues that are pushing people into mental and physical ill-health. Far too many people are forced to stay in hospital for longer than is healthy for them, because there is no suitable care when they leave.
“Services like ours help people to get back on their feet, become connected to their communities, and find work or activities that are satisfying and meaningful. This creates good health, lasting change, and transforms communities.
“Well-funded, person-centred social care can and must be part of the planning to make the NHS fit for the future.”
