Despite carrying out 15% more elective activity than before the pandemic, the NHS is less productive overall once the activities of mental health trusts, community trusts and GPs are considered.42 NHSE told us that, while government has had a long-term aim to shift more care and services into local communities, funding increases for these services had often been slow.43 However, it highlighted how recent capacity investments had been in community services rather than hospitals, for example in...

Despite carrying out 15% more elective activity than before the pandemic, the NHS is less productive overall once the activities of mental health trusts, community trusts and GPs are considered.42 NHSE told us that, while government has had a long-term aim to shift more care and services into local communities, funding increases for these services had often been slow.43 However, it highlighted how recent capacity investments had been in community services rather than hospitals, for example in 12,500 virtual ward beds in people’s homes, and had focussed on the data and technology needed to support moving more care into the home.44 NHSE acknowl Type: conclusion | Number: 24 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 6.2 NHS investment in primary medical care and community services (including continuing care) increased faster than overall ICB spend in 2023-24. 6.3 DHSC and NHSE have prioritised mental health in its plans for 2025-26, requiring ICBs to meet the Mental Health I