Over the past ten years, the National Health Service has suffered a significant reduction in structures and staff. According to the annuary of the SSN 2023 published by the Ministry of Health, since 2013, 74 hospitals have been closed, equal to 7% of the total, with a more marked drop in public structures (50 less). Also, beds have decreased by over 10 thousand, from 226,387 in 2013 to 215,827 in 2023.
The cuts also hit the consultants, which dropped from 2,430 to 2,140 (-10%), and mental health centers, passed from 1,603 to 1,334.The lack of medical personnel is equally evident: family doctors decreased by 7,220 units, stopping at 37,983 in 2023, while pediatricians dropped by 999, reaching 6,706. Even the doctors of continuity of care have dropped by 1,483 units.
there was a drop in access to the emergency room: in 2023 there were 18.3 million, about 2 million less than in 2013. Pediatric emergency room also saw a slight reduction,with 1.39 million access in 2023 against 1.6 million ten years earlier.
National Health Service Faces Decade of significant Reduced Structures and Staff
Table of Contents
Over the past decade, the National Health Service (NHS) has experienced a notable reduction in both its infrastructure and workforce. Dr. Emily Ward, a leading healthcare expert, joins us too discuss the impact of these changes based on the recently published SSN annual report by the Ministry of Health.
Reduction in Hospital Infrastructure
Between 2013 and 2023, the NHS has seen 74 hospitals closed, which is approximately 7% of the total. Of these, around 50 were public structures. This notable reduction has lead to a decrease of over 10,000 beds, falling from 226,387 in 2013 to 215,827 in 2023.
Impact on medical Personnel
The number of consultants has decreased from 2,430 in 2013 to 2,140 in 2023, a reduction of about 10%. We’ve also seen a noticeable drop in other medical personnel, such as family doctors, pediatricians, and doctors of continuity of care.
mental Health Services
Emergency Room Access
There has been a substantial decline in emergency room visits. In 2023, 18.3 million people accessed emergency services, which is about 2 million less than in 2013. The pediatric emergency room has also seen a slight reduction, from 1.6 million in 2013 to 1.39 million in 2023.
Concluding Thoughts
The data suggests that infrastructure and staffing cuts have significantly impacted the NHS’s capacity to deliver healthcare. These cuts affect both immediate care and long-term health management. It is crucial to reassess the long-term implications of these reductions to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the NHS.
