This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6987695.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Wanless warns over future of NHS Wanless warns over future of NHS
(about 1 hour later)
The NHS will be at risk unless more is done to combat obesity and increase productivity, a landmark report says.The NHS will be at risk unless more is done to combat obesity and increase productivity, a landmark report says.
Sir Derek Wanless warned vast sums had been spent on extra pay without the benefits being realised yet.Sir Derek Wanless warned vast sums had been spent on extra pay without the benefits being realised yet.
The former NatWest bank chief - whose 2002 report paved the way for record rises in the NHS budget - said too little was being done about obesity.The former NatWest bank chief - whose 2002 report paved the way for record rises in the NHS budget - said too little was being done about obesity.
He said if the twin issues were not addressed the NHS would struggle to become a "world class" service.He said if the twin issues were not addressed the NHS would struggle to become a "world class" service.
Sir Derek's report, which was commissioned by the King's Fund health think-tank, analyses how the NHS has performed over the past five years as well as looking at what it should be doing in the future.Sir Derek's report, which was commissioned by the King's Fund health think-tank, analyses how the NHS has performed over the past five years as well as looking at what it should be doing in the future.
What is clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world-class health care system, and ultimately healthier nation, that we all desire Sir Derek WanlessWhat is clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world-class health care system, and ultimately healthier nation, that we all desire Sir Derek Wanless
It comes after his 2002 study for the Treasury recommended big increases in the NHS budget.It comes after his 2002 study for the Treasury recommended big increases in the NHS budget.
It was a report which proved key to Gordon Brown's decision later that year to award the health service a record five-year spending pledge.It was a report which proved key to Gordon Brown's decision later that year to award the health service a record five-year spending pledge.
He followed that up in 2004 with another paper which warned of the growing problems to do with public health.He followed that up in 2004 with another paper which warned of the growing problems to do with public health.
In his latest report, he concludes that the increases in funding have delivered noticeable improvements with more staff and equipment, shorter waiting times and better cancer, heart and mental health care.In his latest report, he concludes that the increases in funding have delivered noticeable improvements with more staff and equipment, shorter waiting times and better cancer, heart and mental health care.
He praised progress on issues such as smoking but said there was still not enough being done over obesity.He praised progress on issues such as smoking but said there was still not enough being done over obesity.
ScaleScale
He said the good schemes that were in place tended to be locally-based and on a small scale.He said the good schemes that were in place tended to be locally-based and on a small scale.
Sir Derek said the result was that future predictions - a third of men and 28% of women are likely to be classed as obese by 2010 - were worse than they were five years ago.Sir Derek said the result was that future predictions - a third of men and 28% of women are likely to be classed as obese by 2010 - were worse than they were five years ago.
He also pointed out that nearly half of the £43bn extra the NHS was getting compared with 2002 had gone on staff pay, mainly through new contracts for GPs, consultants and nurses.He also pointed out that nearly half of the £43bn extra the NHS was getting compared with 2002 had gone on staff pay, mainly through new contracts for GPs, consultants and nurses.
And he also said the biggest increase in hospital activity had been in emergency admissions - a key sign of ineffeciency as the NHS is not doing enough to prevent ill-health.And he also said the biggest increase in hospital activity had been in emergency admissions - a key sign of ineffeciency as the NHS is not doing enough to prevent ill-health.
He said if the NHS was going to keep providing the range of services it currently does it would need increases of 4.4% from next year when the record rises of nearly 8% come to an end.He said if the NHS was going to keep providing the range of services it currently does it would need increases of 4.4% from next year when the record rises of nearly 8% come to an end.
The government pledged to catch up with other EU countries after decades of under investment - this has been achieved Niall Dickson, of the King's FundThe government pledged to catch up with other EU countries after decades of under investment - this has been achieved Niall Dickson, of the King's Fund
But if issues to do with productivity and obesity were not resolved funding may need to increase by even more.But if issues to do with productivity and obesity were not resolved funding may need to increase by even more.
He said: "Such an expensive service could undermine the current widespread political support for the NHS and raise questions about its long-term future."He said: "Such an expensive service could undermine the current widespread political support for the NHS and raise questions about its long-term future."
Or he added the alternative was that the service does less, but this would be interpreted as the NHS failing behind other European countries again.Or he added the alternative was that the service does less, but this would be interpreted as the NHS failing behind other European countries again.
"What is clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world-class health care system, and ultimately healthier nation, that we all desire.""What is clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world-class health care system, and ultimately healthier nation, that we all desire."
King's Fund chief executive Niall Dickson said: "The government pledged to catch up with other EU countries after decades of under investment - this has been achieved.King's Fund chief executive Niall Dickson said: "The government pledged to catch up with other EU countries after decades of under investment - this has been achieved.
"But if the NHS is not only to catch up but keep up with other European health care systems then we need to find new ways of making the health system more productive with better clinical outcomes.""But if the NHS is not only to catch up but keep up with other European health care systems then we need to find new ways of making the health system more productive with better clinical outcomes."
A Department of Health spokesman agreed more needed to be done to improve productivity and tackle lifestyle issues and this would require above inflation growth in the health budget.A Department of Health spokesman agreed more needed to be done to improve productivity and tackle lifestyle issues and this would require above inflation growth in the health budget.
"These issues will be central to decisions made in the next few weeks as part of the government's comprehensive spending review and the long-term review of the health service being conducted by Lord Darzi.""These issues will be central to decisions made in the next few weeks as part of the government's comprehensive spending review and the long-term review of the health service being conducted by Lord Darzi."
But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Value for money has not been delivered by this government."