NHS set to receive 4% budget rise but health chiefs say it may not be enough

The NHS is on course to be one of the big winners in the spending review on 30 October if it gets a proposed 4% real-terms uplift from the Treasury. A cash injection of about £7bn for the health budget in England would mean a significant boost compared to previous years when NHS got just a 0.2% real-terms rise. However, this increase is overshadowed by concerns that even this uplift won't effectively address the growing waiting list crisis.

NHS chiefs are privately alarmed, suggesting that despite the 4% increase, it may only be sufficient to maintain the status quo regarding waiting lists, rather than making tangible progress in reducing them. Insiders indicated that while the proposed boost is commendable, it is largely anticipated to be depleted by necessary staff pay rises, leaving little room for substantial improvements in care or patient access.

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