London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK Health Secretary expresses NHS cannot be turned around ‘overnight’ but promises to get service ‘back on its feet.’
The health secretary Wes Streeting has cautioned that the NHS will not be turned around in one budget, stating measures to be notified would “arrest the decline” amid substantial reform of the health service. Streeting informed broadcasters new efficiencies in the health service would be the critical quid pro quo for substantial investment. The government is expected to report a spending increase of at least 4% to the health budget.
What does the health secretary say regarding NHS reforms?
Streeting said he was convinced there would be substantial improvements to the NHS throughout the parliament. “I think people are realistic, you don’t fix the NHS overnight,” he stated. “You don’t specify it in a single budget, but throughout this parliament, you will get the NHS back on its feet at the same time as making the right long-term conclusions that will make the NHS fit for the future.”
Heath’s Secretary also said he would not ensure that the funding would make a difference in time to prevent a winter crisis this year. “I will always face up to the challenges. I will not stop the difficult decisions or the fact that there are still problems to be solved, and you will see me on the frontline this winter, where there will still be challenges because you can’t just wave away the pressures,” he declared.
How crucial is social care reform to NHS recovery?
Streeting acknowledged that social care reform remained a considerable challenge to be tackled, revealing “You cannot fix the NHS without fixing social care”.
What cross-party consensus is sought for social care?
Moreover, he refused to set a specific direction on social care in the short term, stating he desired to try to build “a cross-party consensus” on how to uncover a solution. “We are also considering, as we build the long-term plan for social care, how best to complete a degree of national accord around the national care service in a way that we have done over the last 76 years with the National Health Service,” he expressed.