NHS facing significant dangers ahead, says thinktank

The quality of care offered by the NHS could come under threat due to growing financial pressures and incoming organisational changes, according to a new report.

Analysis from thinktank The King's Fund has revealed that the performance of the NHS is currently holding up well under the coalition government, with rates of infection and mixed-sex accommodation breaches falling, while efficiency is improving.

However, in other areas cracks are beginning to appear, as accident and emergency waiting times have risen since the end of 2009 and a growing number of hospitals are facing financial hardship.

The thinktank warns that these trends could be exacerbated by the combination of continued economic gloom and the impact of major healthcare reforms, as well as the loss of experienced management staff.

Anna Dixon, director of policy at The King's Fund, said: "Neither competition nor commissioning reform alone can be relied on to make the improvements needed. Fundamental change will be required to address the challenges of the future."

Earlier this month, the group called for the introduction of new ways to pay hospitals for the work they do, in order to incentivise new models of care.