Planning service delivery given the uncertainty about level of funding in the future

It is clear that public sector budgets will remain constrained for a number of years. This is likely to continue to affect spend on health, social care and public health for at least the next 10 years. Looking further into the future (+10 years) there is a wider range of possible scenarios for financing the system. There is uncertainty about whether self-funding will begin to play a larger role, and about what the implications of a mixed economy provision will be. How will this change demand and for health and care service? The need to ensure the financial sustainability of providers and the workforce impact of this is also a topic that is beginning to be debated.