New report explores the implications of the NHS reforms for voluntary organisations

A new report launching today explores what the government’s NHS reforms could mean for voluntary organisations providing health services.

The Voluntary and Community Sector in Health report (247KB), produced jointly with the Kings Fund, suggests that the proposed reforms present a mixture of challenges and opportunities for the sector over the coming years. It raises particular concerns that larger providers could end up dominating the market, and stresses that the sector needs support in the transition to the new arrangements.

Voluntary organisations play a crucial role in the NHS, providing a wide range of services, helping to tackle inequalities and acting as an important source of intelligence to commissioners, planners and funders.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said:

"The voluntary sector is a valuable source of expertise in helping to design health services that meet the needs of local people. The health reforms have great potential for the sector, but there is a risk that a gap between rhetoric and reality will lead to voluntary organisations being crowded out of the market. We urge the government to strengthen the measures in the Bill to ensure that the sector’s intelligence and value is harnessed effectively, and local organisations have the support they need to adapt to the changes ahead."

For further news and support on the reform, commissioning and delivery of publicly-funded health services in England visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/health.