England's NHS reforms designed to reduce hospital admissions found to have backfired

England’s health services were changed in 2013, when two-thirds of the National Health Service budget was transferred to family doctors. The government planned for this to help more patients be treated cheaply and locally, rather that having them going for assessments or treatment at hospitals. Unfortunately, a study found the rate of people going into hospital between 2013 and 2015 remained static. By the end of 2015, referrals to specialists were found to have increased by 19%. Rates of hospitalization and referrals remained unchanged in Scotland, where no reforms took place. The findings don’t point the finger at the policy for failing but they suggest the idea to shift more care into the community hasn’t worked.