Public Expenditure
13 September 2012
In its work during this Parliament the Health Committee has consistently underlined the importance of the "Nicholson Challenge" – in which Sir David Nicholson, with cross party support, spelt out the requirement for health and social care services to achieve 4% year-on-year efficiency gains to allow them to meet rising demand for care through a period of minimal real resource growth.
The Committee published reports in December 2010 and January 2012 which examined the progress made towards delivering this objective.
The Committee plans to return to the subject this autumn. In its inquiry the Committee will consider, amongst other issues:
- The plans being made by NHS bodies to enable them to meet the Nicholson Challenge
- Where changes are being proposed, and whether the NHS is succeeding in making efficiency gains rather than cuts
- The cost of the continuing reorganisation of NHS structures in line with the provisions of the Health and Social Care Act 2012
- The prospects for the long-term viability of NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts given (a) the 2010 spending review settlement and (b) financial commitments incurred under the Private Finance Initiative
- The impact on the provision of adult social care of the 2010 spending review settlement
- The impact on NHS plans of decisions currently being made by local authorities
- The ability of local authorities to make the necessary efficiency savings
- The use of the additional funding for social care being made available through the NHS budget
- Progress on making efficiencies through the integration of health and social care services.
The deadline for submitting written evidence is midday on Tuesday 16 October 2012.