Welfare Reform on the Web (April 2002): National Health Service - Funding
BROWN MARKS RETURN WITH HEALTH PLEDGE
R. Bennett and A. Parker
Financial Times, Feb. 6th 2002, p. 2
In a series of interviews, the Chancellor has pledged to increase state funding for the NHS. He has not ruled out tax
BROWN TO DEFY EUROPE ON NHS CUTS
L. Elliott and C. Denny
The Guardian, Feb. 11th 2002, p. 1
Article claims that the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, will put health spending before early euro entry with a refusal to accept European Commission calls to cut £10bn off spending on hospitals, schools and transport.
BUDGET WISH LISTS
S. Elliott
Community Practitioner, vol. 75, 2002, p.39-40
Health professionals and advisers discuss how they would like to see promised extra state funding for the NHS spent. Suggestions include improved pay and conditions for staff, straightforward provision of more modern equipment, investment in community care to prevent bed blocking, and refurbishment of NHS premises.
LABOUR PAVES WAY FOR TAX RISES TO CURE NHS
R. Shrimsley and R. Bennett
Financial Times, Feb. 21st 2002, p. 5
Government ministers have been warning voters to expect tax rises in the forthcoming budget to fund improvements to the NHS.
(See also Independent, Feb. 21st 2002, p. 1; Daily Telegraph, Feb. 21st 2002, p. 1; Times, Feb. 21st 2002, p. 1)
PRIZE GUYS
A. Joseph
Health Service Journal, vol. 112, Feb. 14th 2002, p. 26-27
The distinction awards pay scheme for consultants has been the subject of controversy since its inception in 1948. It has lacked transparency and has been criticised for being inequitable. Many academic consultants receive awards without fulfilling the required service commitment. Proposals for a revised scheme, due to take effect in April 2003, only address some of the shortcomings.
SHARP RISE IN NHS CHIEF EXECUTIVES WITH SALARIES ABOVE £100,000
J. Carvel
The Guardian, Jan. 29th 2002, p. 4
According to a survey by the pay analysts Incomes Data Services, just over a quarter of NHS Trust Chief Executives got six-figure salaries in the year to March 2001, compared with 16% in the previous 12 months. They also found the turnover of top NHS managers was exceptionally fast.
(See also The Times, Jan. 29th 2002, p. 10)