NHS must reform or die, PM says after major report

"Ballooning" NHS England waiting times and delays getting emergency treatment are costing lives, according to a critical government-commissioned report on the service.

People have "every right to be angry," the prime minister will say on Thursday, adding the health service must "reform or die".

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned the NHS could "go bust" if the government does not reform it to account for an ageing society, more sick people and rising costs.

He pledged to spend a greater proportion of the NHS budget on GPs, social care and "community services" than on hospitals, which he said would help alleviate pressure on the service overall.

The external report was the result of a nine-week review by the independent peer and NHS surgeon Lord Darzi.

He was asked by Labour, shortly after the election, to identify the failings in the health service, but his remit did not stretch to coming up with solutions.

His findings present a stark picture of a service which he says is in a "critical condition" and "serious trouble".

In a speech later, Sir Keir Starmer will respond to the report by promising "the biggest reimagining of the NHS" since it was formed, with a new 10-year plan for the health service to be published in the coming months.

He will propose three key areas of reform: the transition to a digital NHS, moving more care from hospitals to communities, and focusing efforts on prevention over sickness.

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Source: BBC News, 11 September 2024