UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – MPs raise concerns over Keir Starmer’s plans to scrap NHS England, aiming to cut bureaucracy and redirect funds to frontline services.
The British government’s decision to abolish NHS England sparked warnings in the Commons, with MPs warning that job cuts and internal disputes could disrupt frontline healthcare services.
What concerns have MPs raised over NHS England’s abolition?
Labour MP Kevin McKenna, a former NHS worker of 26 years, warned that the reforms risk sidelining nurses and clinical leaders, also making their voices harder to hear.
Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew warned there is “no guarantee of success,” arguing that the proposed changes amount to one top-down reform attempting to correct another.
Referring to the Wales NHS model, he argued that reform alone offers “no guarantee of success.”
He stated,
“The Secretary of State rightly said in his statement that change is hard, it is I’m afraid inescapable that whilst this reform is ongoing the NHS leadership is going to be hugely distracted with turf wars, redundancies, and developing new working practices.”
Mr Mayhew questioned the Secretary of State on the “measures being taken to ensure the reforms do not divert attention from frontline services and negatively impact patient care.”
What did Wes Streeting say about NHS reforms?
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Streeting stated,
“These reforms will deliver a much leaner top of the NHS, making significant savings of hundreds of millions of pounds a year. That money will flow down to the front line, to cut waiting times faster, and deliver our plan for change.”
He added,
“By slashing through the layers of red tape and ending the infantilisation of frontline NHS leaders, we will set local NHS providers free to innovate, develop new, productive ways of working and focus on what matters most, delivering better care for patients.”
Mr Streeting replied to Mr Mayhew’s questions, stating,
“There will always be people who say it’s too hard, it’s too difficult, it’s a distraction – that is how we’ve ended up with this status quo.”
He said,
“That is how the party opposite presided over the longest waiting lists and the lowest patient satisfaction on record, at the same time as spending staggering amounts of public money.”
Referring to the NHS reforms, Mr Streeting added,
“This is the final nail in the coffin of the disastrous 2012 reorganisation, which led to the longest waiting times, lowest patient satisfaction, and most expensive NHS in history.
He said,
“When money is so tight, we can’t justify such a complex bureaucracy with two organisations doing the same jobs.”
What did Keir Starmer say about abolishing NHS England?
To streamline healthcare management, Keir Starmer has confirmed plans to scrap NHS England, stating that the decision will cut bureaucracy, reduce costs, and ensure greater democratic control over the health service.
The Labour leader stated the independent board overseeing the NHS will be abolished, cutting red tape and eliminating costly processes.
Sir Keir stated,
“We’re going to cut bureaucracy across the state, focus government on the priorities of working people (and) shift money to the front line.”
During a speech in Yorkshire on cutting red tape and reforming the civil service, Mr. Starmer pledged to abolish NHS England, declaring he would bring NHS management “back into democratic control.”
He stated,
“That will put the NHS back at the heart of government where it belongs, freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses. An NHS refocused on cutting waiting times at your hospital.”
Labour leader blamed the body for creating excessive duplication, arguing that the NHS is in no position to bear such waste.
He told his audience,
“We’re duplicating things that could be done once. If we strip that out, which is what we’re doing today, that then allows us to free up that money, to put it where it needs to be, which is the front line.”
What did Rachael Maskell say about NHS England’s abolition?
Labour MP Rachael Maskell (York Central) stated,
“I do want to thank the staff at NHS England for the work they’ve done, but I am sorry in the way that they’ve heard of this announcement, because I know it’s their jobs which are being put at risk today.”
He added,
“We have got to make ensure, however, we are not replicating NHS England across the ICBs (integrated care boards) of our country and ICBS also are reformed to transform the NHS with the three shifts that will be placed on them with the publication of the ten year plan.”
What did Unison say about the NHS England abolition announcement?
The UK’s biggest healthcare union, Unison, slammed the NHS England abolition announcement as a “shambolic” move with serious implications.
Christina McAnea, its general secretary, stated,
“The health service needs thousands more staff and to be able to hold on to experienced employees. At the moment, it’s struggling to do that. Giving staff a decent pay rise would help no end.”
What did Hugh Alderwick say about the NHS England abolition?
Hugh Alderwick, director of policy at the Health Foundation think tank warned,
“History tells us that rejigging NHS organisations is hugely distracting and rarely delivers the benefits politicians expect. Scrapping NHS England completely will cause disruption and divert time and energy of senior leaders at a time when attention should be focused on improving care for patients.”
What are experts saying about the risks of abolishing NHS England?
Professor Nicola Ranger, head of the Royal College of Nursing, criticized the costly NHS England reorganization, warning that another disruption could further drain resources and worsen patient care.
Backing the concerns, Prof Phil Banfield of the British Medical Association warned that “NHS reorganizations have historically been ineffective and should not hinder essential healthcare efforts.”
How did the Tories react to NHS England’s abolition?
Conservatives, despite being behind NHS England’s creation, have expressed support for its abolition.
Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated,
“We support measures to streamline NHS management and the principle of taking direct control.”
He continued,
“Labour ministers now have nowhere to hide or anyone else to blame on NHS performance.”