What does the mandate for 2018/19 say?
The government has published the NHS mandate* for 2018/19, detailing the latest finances for NHS England.
The mandate reaffirms the seven core objectives set out in last year’s edition with specific measures to be focused on for the year 2018/19. It is published alongside financial directions that set out additional expenditure controls to which NHS England must adhere.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says the most immediate challenge is managing increased demand on the system. Despite this, it expects the NHS to deliver what is in the NHS planning guidance for 2018/19 in full: treating a quarter of a million more patients in A&E, halving the number who have the longest waits for treatment and working towards reducing the number of patients waiting overall.
As has been announced by the Treasury, the NHS will receive an additional £2.8bn between 2017/18 and 2019/20. Attached to this is a responsibility to minimise waste and make best use of resources. Also, the mandate aims to support NHS England in meeting commitments made to deliver service transformation in mental health, primary care, and cancer together with the development of integrated care systems.
*The mandate sets the government’s objectives and any requirements for NHS England, as well as its budget; and gives direction for the NHS. Every year, the Health and Social Care Secretary publishes a mandate to ensure that NHS England’s objectives remain up to date.
Further information
Gov.uk: NHS mandate 2018 to 2019