The Government must be open and honest with the public about the need to change the way the NHS delivers care, its leaders have said.
As the NHS Confederation, which represents almost 500 member organisations, meets for the start of its annual conference, a survey found that 99% of the NHS leaders questioned said cuts to social care funding are putting increasing pressures on the health service as a whole, while 92% said it was on their own organisation.
Four out of five (79%) said the cuts were increasing the amount of time people spent in hospital, while nine out of 10 (91%) said financial pressures have got worse in the last year.
The survey of more than 300 NHS leaders also found recruitment to be one of their biggest challenges, with 85% saying it is becoming more difficult to find and retain staff.
NHS Confederation chief executive Rob Webster will tell delegates that while finances will always be a preoccupation for professionals and politicians, they must focus their attention on improving health and social care.
He said: "The NHS continues to deliver high quality care in very challenging circumstances. Over the last five years rising demand has been relentless and funding limited.
"This has required unprecedented levels of efficiency, with almost £19 billion saved by the NHS during this period. In many parts of the country our members are now implementing new models of care which better meet the health needs of the 21st century. We must be supported by the system as we do more.
"The conference will see us agree how we accelerate from talking about change to delivering real and meaningful changes to the way care is delivered.
"With the election out of the way, this will require a focus on the workforce, on prevention, on the role of innovation and new models of care. It will mean new relationships across sectors and with the public - as well as using the money well - if we are to forge a better future."