Record NHS spending
Since 2010, Conservatives have invested more in the NHS than ever before. We will continue to increase the NHS budget, above the rate of inflation, so that the NHS remains free at the point of use, treating more people than ever before.
We now have more doctors and nurses than ever before, delivering record numbers of appointments. Our Long-Term Workforce Plan for the NHS will see a further 92,000 nurses and 28,000 more doctors recruited. We will also reduce, by 5,500, the number of managers in the service.
Pharmacy services will continue to develop and will include menopause support, contraception and treatment for chest infections. This will free up around 20 million GP appointments a year.
Talking of GPs, we will build or modernise 250 GP surgeries and build a further 50 Community Diagnostic Centres to provide an extra 2.5 million checks for conditions such as cancer, following the success of the first centres, including Clatterbridge on Merseyside.
Mental Health
Since the pandemic, new challenges have emerged. The number of people who are economically inactive due to ill health has risen from 2 million to 2.8 million, with a significant increase in mental health conditions among younger people.
To support children, young people and adults with their mental health, we will:
1. Expand coverage of Mental Health Support Teams from 50% to 100% of schools and colleges in England by 2030.
2. Open early support hubs for those aged 11-25 in every local community by 2030.
3. Increase the planned expansion of NHS Talking Therapies by 50%, supporting people with anxiety, stress and depression.
4. Boost the capacity of Individual Placement and Support for Severe Mental Illness by 140,000 places.
5. Pass a new law to provide better treatment and support for severe mental health needs in the first session of the next Parliament.
Improving social care
We are committed to supporting a high-quality and sustainable social care system, building on our additional investment of up to £8.6 billion over the last two years.
We will attract and retain a high-quality care workforce, make reforms to shape the market for older people’s housing and support unpaid carers.
We will implement our planned reforms to cap social care costs from October 2025.
