NHS devolution in England in Greater Manchester, could save £250 million each year through reduced admissions to hospitals.

That’s one of the findings of a new report out today by the think tank Reform.

The report, co authored by former Labour Health Minister Lord Warner and Jack O’Sullivan concludes that for the first time, a large city region has been offered a model of healthcare in the UK that focuses on preserving and improving the health of all citizens rather than merely treating them when they are sick. 

It could, says the authors, provide a step change in health outcomes, particularly for the worst off. 

If successful in fixing the care model, this innovative approach could help make the NHS more financially sustainable, by controlling the numbers needing expensive acute care.

Letting Go: How English devolution can help solve the NHS care and cash crisis reports that almost 600,000  up to 20 per cent of the regions three million people who have been identified as most at risk of disease progression and hospitalisation,will be offered an annualised care package. 

It will be personalised and directly targeted at the person’s lifestyle and underlying conditions, with their GP as the accountable doctor. The city’s goal is to eliminate at least 60,000 hospital admissions per year.

Greater Manchester anticipates that even after the most rigorous provider efficiency and productivity savings, it will still be left with a recurring annual budget deficit for health and social care of over £500 million by 2017-18. 

But argue the authors, if the benefits of NHS devolution are realised, the city could save £250 million each year through reduced admissions to hospital and the benefits of health and social care integration.

They conclude NHS devolution in England, particularly in the format proposed by Greater Manchester, is one of cautious enthusiasm. 

For the first time, a large city region has offered a model of healthcare in the UK that focuses on preserving and improving the health of all citizens rather than merely treating them when they are sick. It could provide a step change in health outcomes, particularly for the worst off. If successful in fixing the care model, this innovative approach could help make the NHS more financially viable by controlling the numbers needing expensive acute care.


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