Bobby Deans MP asks Paolo Surico about the productivity crisis within the NHS.

Professor Surico added that capital spending for Health and Social Care has increased by 3.2%, but when it comes to R&D, this budget has been decreased by almost 2%. He argues that the Government has to make a choice about whether more beds or less patients are needed.

Longevity is not fiscally sustainable as it reacts to the demographic problem. Professor Surico advocates for aggressively tilting the policy towards prevention, understanding that a significant portion of people in hospitals should not be there.

The Government has the tools to encourage a healthier lifestyle which would release pressure on the NHS by having it support less patients, leaving more room in the budget for productivity boosting investment in Health and Social Care.