Monitor’s Chief Executive Dr David Bennett has used an interview in the Guardian to call for multimillion-pound annual increases in the NHS budget, if the service is to survive a “perfect storm” of pressures. Bennett cited an ageing and growing population as a key pressure, adding that above-inflation increases would be necessary to ensure a sustainable service. Further elaborating on his proposals, he clarified that the next government would have to inject at least a further £1 billion a year into the NHS in the form of a “change fund” so it can continue funding hospitals.
His comments come days before NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens announces his NHS Five Year Forward View, which will outline priorities for the next Government and likely call for an increase in funding as well.
