The NHS: Where does all the money go?

Part 1: The Main NHS spending

The UK Prime Minister says there can be no extra NHS funding without reform. At the same time, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, says the Department of Health and Social Care policy is that the NHS is broken.

So, if there is no new money and the system is broken, some funds must be reallocated to fix the problems. But where does all the money currently go?

First, we need to understand the structure of the NHS and its key organisations. The House of Commons Library has a handy research briefing that provides an overview of funding and accountability arrangements within the NHS in England. 

NHS England provides oversight for the health service. The providers include NHS trusts, foundation trusts, primary care organisations, and private and voluntary sector providers. The Care Quality Commission inspects the quality of care.  The Department of Health & Social Care is a ministerial department that says it supports ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people liv…