Impact of Waiting Times on Community Health Services
Community services are facing increasing strain, with over 1.1 million people waiting for care, and a significant rise among children and young people.
The UK government's 10 Year Health Plan for England aims to shift focus from hospital care to community care, with a commitment to a 'neighbourhood health service' that provides integrated care in local communities.
The plan's core shifts include hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.
- Hospital to community shift requires addressing pressures on community services to avoid worsening inequalities.
- Neighbourhood health services aim to deliver care locally, digitally by default, and in a patient's home or neighbourhood health centre whenever possible.
Author's summary: Waiting times in community health services may hinder the shift towards neighbourhood health.