Patient group umbrella organisation National Voices has called for a new government to urgently tackle the “challenges facing health and social care”.

The group, which represents around 200 charities, issued a statement as it became clear there would be no majority party.

Chief executive Jeremy Taylor said: “Now the election is over, the challenges facing health and social care must be tackled with urgency.

“National Voices looks forward to working with the new government to put people at the heart of health and social care.”

The statement said: “Politicians need to be honest about the scale of the financial challenge in the NHS and what it will mean for services.”

It also called for new methods for communities to be involved in service change; patients to have greater control over their own care; and reform of social care to be addressed quickly.

National Voices and its members, which include Cancer Research UK and the Stroke Association, have recently said they would back large-scale service change, potentially including hospital closure, where it is good for care and patients are involved.

HSJ Post-Election Briefing - Monday 10th May 2010

Attend HSJ’s post-election briefing for an immediate reaction on what the general election result means for you and your organisation.

  • Venue: The ICO (International Coffee Organisation), 22 Berners Street, London W1T 3DD
  • Delegates may pay at the door or book in advance.
  • Find out more: www.hsj-postelectionbriefing.com

Topics

Election 2010: a candidate watchlist for the NHS