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 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 "neighbourhood health service" at its core, providing integrated care in local communities.
The 'hospital to community' shift will only be successful if the pressures on community services are addressed, to avoid worsening inequalities.
- Hospital to community: care delivered locally, digitally by default, and in a patient's home or neighbourhood health centre.
- Analogue to digital: leveraging technology to improve healthcare.
- Sickness to prevention: focusing on preventive care to reduce healthcare needs.
Author's summary: Waiting times in community health services may hinder the shift towards neighbourhood health.