UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, reveals a “back to basics” mandate focused on NHS overspending, reducing waiting times and improving healthcare access.
Wes Streeting has warned that the era of routine overspending in the NHS is no longer tolerated, introducing a more streamlined mandate for the health service.
What did Wes Streeting say about the new mandate for the NHS?
In his latest remarks, Mr Streeting urged the NHS to adopt a more sustainable approach and live within its financial limits.
The Health Secretary’s new objectives focus on tackling long waiting times, enhancing access to GPs and dentists, and improving urgent and emergency treatment services.
In his introduction to the 2025 mandate, he stated that his strategy would lead the NHS toward recovery.
Mr Streeting added,
“The last Labour government delivered the shortest waiting times and the highest patient satisfaction on record. It won’t be easy, but together we’ll do it again.”
The Health Secretary highlighted the need for tough decisions, stressing the importance of local systems having the responsibility to make them, and warned that the culture of unchecked spending is finished.
Earlier this week, Mr Streeting told The Telegraph, “We are telling the NHS to go back to basics and focus on the fundamentals. It needs to deliver on patients’ priorities – shorter waiting times, being able to get a GP appointment and ambulances that arrive on time.”
Is the government’s new strategy enough to fix NHS urgent care?
To address waiting times, the government’s approach includes expanding the NHS App for better communication with patients and carers to meet expectations, ultimately enhancing the overall care experience.
The government plans to improve General Practitioner (GP) appointment access by investing in data and digital resources and improving the coordination of health and social care services to create a “new neighbourhood health service.”
This mandate also aims to enhance urgent and emergency treatment by introducing new mental health crisis support to prevent unnecessary A&E attendance and relying on local community health services to decrease hospital admissions.
It committed to revealing a strategy at the start of 2025, with additional financial incentives for top-performing NHS organisations.
What does the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) say about NHS sexual misconduct policy?
According to the RCS, the NHS still lacks national targets or deadlines for implementing the NHS sexual misconduct policy, urging that it should remain a priority issue.
In a statement, Vice President of RCS England, Professor Vivien Lees, acknowledged the need to prioritize sexual misconduct and other cultural workforce issues, stating that improving NHS working conditions requires addressing these alongside cutting waiting times, as proposed in the Health Secretary’s new mandate.
Mr Lees added,
“We want NHS England to deliver a detailed roadmap for implementing the National Sexual Misconduct Policy Framework, complete with clear timelines, milestones, and accountability measures, as part of its planning guidance.”
Why are MPs frustrated with NHS leaders’ responses on performance?
During a Health and Social Care Committee hearing on Wednesday, MPs criticized senior health leaders regarding NHS performance.
Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, faced questions after a Public Accounts Committee report accused NHS and Department of Health officials of being stagnant and having no fresh ideas to reform patient services.
Ms. Pritchard stressed that women’s health must be the key focus of the organization.
How will NHS England be held accountable for the mandate objectives?
The new mandate starts from 30 January 2025 and lasts until a new one is launched after the 10-Year Health Plan. The government will work with NHS England to meet its goals, with annual progress reviews by the Secretary of State.
NHS England is required to meet the established objectives and follow public money management guidelines and delegated regulations from DHSC.
A framework document outlining its collaboration with the government will be published on the official government website. It must also fulfil its legal obligations under the NHS Act 2006 and other applicable laws.