Content area
Abstract
Just over 75 years have passed since Sir William Beveridge published his report outlining the parameters for a social welfare state for the UK, which crucially included “comprehensive health and rehabilitation services for prevention and cure of disease”. Waiting time targets continued to be missed, including the target time between general practitioner referral and first cancer treatment, in England, Scotland, and Wales. [...]worryingly, in December, 2017, cancer x-ray diagnostic services came under national review by the Care Quality Commission, after the discovery that between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, more than 20 000 x-ray images had not been reviewed by a radiologist or properly trained clinician. On Dec 11, 2017, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chairman Lord Robert Kerslake resigned, telling the BBC that he believes “the government and regulator are unrealistic about the scale of the challenge facing the NHS”.