Letter to NHS England on restricting access to services

The Autumn Budget 2017 did not deliver the funding increases that health and social care need. In subsequent statements, a number of NHS leaders have suggested the need for tough decisions about what can be afforded by and expected of the NHS.

National Voices has written an open letter to the Chief Executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, expressing concern that decisions to restrict access to treatments and services will be made behind closed doors, with people not listened to. This would lead to outcomes which may be unfair, cause harm, or reinforce existing injustices and inequalities.

In the letter, we urge NHS England to upgrade decision making processes to ensure they are open, transparent, fully engaged and accountable.