A necessary change: the transfer of care from hospital to community.

Abstract

The National Health Service (NHS) in England must improve productivity by 6% per annum if projected savings of £21 billion are to be attained by 2014, while simultaneously improving or at least maintaining the quality of care (Department of Health (DH), 2009; 2010a). Given that staff costs represent 60% of the current NHS budget, it is likely that both the number and composition of the 1.7 million strong workforce will need to be changed to meet these targets. In the Department of Health's draft Structural Reform Plan (2010b), the emphasis is on shifting resources to promote better healthcare outcomes, to which end a review of working practices and role relationship must take place, with increased delivery of services by community nurses.