Impact of Waiting Times on Community Health Services
Community services are facing increasing pressure, with over 1.1 million people waiting for care, and a significant rise in waiting times among children and young people.
The shift towards neighbourhood health, a key component of the UK government's 10 Year Health Plan for England, relies on addressing these pressures on community services.
The 10 Year Health Plan
The plan has three core shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.
The commitment to a 'neighbourhood health service' aims to provide integrated care in local communities, with care delivered locally, digitally by default, and in a patient's home or neighbourhood health centre whenever possible.
- Hospital to community shift
- Analogue to digital shift
- Sickness to prevention shift
Author's summary: Waiting times in community health services may hinder the shift towards neighbourhood health.