New government is urged not to stoke “unrealistic expectations” about NHS performance

The next UK government must be honest with the public about the health and care improvements it can credibly deliver given the huge pressures facing the service, experts have urged.

In a podcast recorded for The BMJ at the King’s Fund ahead of the UK general election1 a panel of experts highlighted that, despite the sizeable cash injection the NHS received this year in the NHS long term plan, the service was still in poor financial health.

With the NHS grappling with chronic staffing shortages, increasing demand, and constrained funding, the panel warned politicians that their promised extra investment might not …