Streeting ‘shocked’ by his lack of ‘oversight’ of social care

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has said he is “shocked” by his lack of oversight of adult social care and said he is “determined to improve this” in a call with local leaders this morning.

Addressing a webinar on winter pressures with NHS and care leaders, Mr Streeting said he was “shocked by poor levers and line of sight [from DHSC] into the social care system” compared with the NHS, and said this contrast was “day and night, and I’m determined to improve this”, according to sources present.

Mr Streeting also stressed the importance of reform and a “plan” for social care on the call, alongside NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard this morning.

The health secretary also told trust leaders to “prioritise patient safety” by focussing on improving emergency ambulance response times, addressing handover delays and tackling the longest waits in accident and emergency.

He said he did not want trusts to prioritise patients who can be seen and discharged more quickly — and therefore would help meet the four-hour A&E target — above those with the greatest clinical need. Trusts were pressured to do this last winter amid efforts to meet the flagship target.

In a press statement, Mr Streeting said: “We inherited a broken NHS that saw annual winter crisis as the norm. This year, we’re seeing record pressures on services as we move into December.

“This winter I want to see patient safety prioritised as we brace ourselves for the coming months. I’m asking trusts to focus on ambulance delays, handovers and the longest A&E waits.”

Read full story (paywalled)

Source: HSJ, 9 December 2024