Health secretary Wes Streeting has committed to reducing NHS waiting lists by millions over the next five years, promising to go “hell for leather” to address the issues facing England’s healthcare system.
This comes in the wake of a damning government-commissioned report, which found the NHS in “critical condition.”
Starmer to announce sweeping NHS reforms
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil the government’s ambitious plans to overhaul the NHS, marking what he calls the “biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth.”
The reform package will focus on digitising the health service, shifting care from hospitals to communities, and moving from reactive sickness care to preventive health measures.
Speaking on Thursday, Starmer will emphasise the urgency of the situation, saying, “We know working people can’t afford to pay more, so it’s reform or die.”
The Darzi report highlights years of austerity and pandemic strain
The critical state of the NHS was attributed to a combination of austerity policies in the 2010s, the pandemic, and the declining health of the nation, according to a report by Lord Ara Darzi, published on Thursday.
The report, which was commissioned by the government, underscores how austerity cuts and insufficient public spending have contributed to the current challenges, including a rise in waiting lists and the burden on overstretched services.
Streeting pledges to restore NHS constitutional standards
In response to the findings, Streeting outlined the government’s plan to meet NHS targets within the next five years.
“I’m going hell for leather to get the NHS back to its constitutional standards, the targets it sets for itself,” he said in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
The health secretary stressed that by the end of this parliament, waiting lists would be “millions lower than they are today.”
New hospitals programme may face delays
Streeting also reiterated the government’s commitment to the “new hospitals” programme, which was initially announced by the former Conservative government.
The programme, which promised to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, has faced criticism for delays. Streeting acknowledged the need for a realistic approach:
The scheme may run over a longer period of time… I’ve got to balance the need for new bricks and mortar alongside the need for new technology.
The focus, he added, would be on ensuring that the necessary funding, labour, and resources are in place to meet these goals.
Calls for cooperation with the British Medical Association
The health secretary also addressed the ongoing dispute between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA), particularly over funding for general practice.
As some GP surgeries in England cap the number of patients they can see each day, Streeting called for the BMA to move away from “sabre-rattling” and engage in constructive dialogue with the government.
“I think GPs want to work with this government,” Streeting said, emphasising the seriousness of the government’s intent and its commitment to supporting healthcare professionals.
He added that GPs, like the government, care deeply about patients and are eager to rebuild the family-doctor relationship that has been strained in recent years.
The road ahead for NHS reform
While the NHS faces enormous challenges, including long waiting lists, underfunded services, and disputes over resources, the government’s latest pledges signal a renewed effort to reform and modernise the healthcare system. Starmer’s planned reforms, including the transition from analogue to digital healthcare and a greater focus on prevention, aim to set the NHS on a more sustainable path.
The NHS’s future will also depend on successfully implementing Streeting’s ambitious targets and ensuring that key reforms, including the construction of new hospitals and the deployment of modern technology, are carried out in a timely and efficient manner.
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