NHS is broken but it’s not beaten - Wes Streeting

Streeting highlighted the need for collaboration between the government and frontline NHS staff to address the issues gripping the health service

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, visited St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping, West Essex, on Thursday (1 August) as part of an ongoing series of planned engagements with NHS trusts across England.

Accompanied by NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, Streeting observed how NHS staff are using innovative technology to monitor patients at home and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

He met with staff from the hospital's Care Coordination Centre and the 'hospital at home' hub, which work to reduce unnecessary A&E admissions and facilitate quick and safe discharges home.

Before the hospital tour, the health secretary met the trust’s falls response team, which uses a specially equipped ‘falls car’ to assist patients who have fallen at home, preventing A&E visits.

Later, Streeting visited the Ross Practice GP surgery in Harlow before holding a town hall event with health leaders in the region.

Streeting’s visit to Epping and Harlow was focused on the government’s ambition to bring care back into the community.

Streeting highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and frontline NHS staff to fix the NHS: “The NHS is broken but it’s not beaten. The new government can’t fix it alone, we need to work together with frontline NHS staff to turn it around.”

“It was great to visit St Margaret’s Hospital and the Ross Practice today to see what’s working well, so we can take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.”

He acknowledged the significant challenge and the need for further action, stating that they are working closely with trusts to address the biggest issues gripping the health services.

As part of immediate action to fix the front door of the NHS, the government has also announced its plan to recruit more than 1,000 newly qualified GPs by removing the red tape that prevents surgeries from hiring doctors.

Thanks to changes, newly qualified GPs can now be quickly recruited into the NHS through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme for the 2024-2025 period.

Streeting stated that strikes have led to 1.4 million cancelled appointments for patients and cost taxpayers £1.7 billion.

Since becoming Health Secretary, he has been in discussions with junior doctors, and their newly agreed pay offer is expected to pave the way for ending the industrial action that has impacted so many people.

“We cannot have any more disruption and cancelled appointments. I’m committed to resetting the relationship between junior doctors and their government, so we can work together to rebuild our NHS,” Streeting said.

Amanda Pritchard said that their visit to St Margaret’s Hospital and the Ross GP Practice provided valuable insights as they develop a 10-year plan to make the NHS fit for the future.

She noted that ensuring more people stay well at home needs strong and well-connected health and care services in every community.

The health secretary has already ordered a full investigation led by Lord Ara Darzi to assess the state of the NHS.

He also recently announced a full review of the New Hospital Programme, criticizing it as ‘unfunded’ and based on a ‘fictional timeline’.