Sir Keir Starmer will warn the NHS must "reform or die", as the government publishes an independent investigation into the state of the health service. The report - ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting days after he took on the role - was carried out by peer and surgeon Lord Darzi.
Thursday 12 September 2024 07:51, UK
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Watch Sky News liveSky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard are back with their daily guide to the day ahead in politics in under 20 minutes.
On the last day before recess in the Commons Jack and Sam discuss the toplines of the Darzi report, which paints a bleak picture of the state of the NHS, and what needs to change to reform our healthcare.
Plus, they ask if Sir Keir Starmer has been too doom and gloom, scaring off investment for the country on the day he flies to the US to meet Joe Biden to finalise unconfirmed plans that could see Ukraine allowed to fire long-range missiles into Russia.
You can now send a WhatsApp to Jack and Sam on 07511 867 633 or email them: jackandsam@sky.uk
Conservatives 'squandered' a 'golden inheritance' on the NHS - StreetingHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has accused the Conservatives of "squandering" a "golden inheritance" on the NHS when they came into office in 2010.
The minister told Sky News that Tony Blair's action on the health service left the NHS with the lowest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction in years.
He described this as a "golden inheritance", and claimed that 14 years of Conservative government "squandered it".
Mr Streeting was appearing on Sky News after the publication of Lord Darzi's report into the state of the NHS, which claimed the service is in "critical condition".
He said the NHS needs "three big shifts fundamentally".
"A shift from our hospital to community - so we get to people earlier, diagnose faster. Better for them, better for taxpayers," Mr Streeting said.
"A shift from analogue to digital so that patients can use health services and care services with the same ease and convenience we can elsewhere in our lives.
"And thirdly [we need to] deal with the sickness in our society that sees people living longer, but becoming sicker earlier."
He told Kay Burley that the NHS is in this position "because of a decade of under investment, particularly in technology, where we're 15 years behind the private sector".
Mr Streeting also said he was "shocked" that the UK was "far worse hit by the pandemic in terms of cancellations of operations and procedures because of what led up to the pandemic.
"Not just failing to fix the roof while the sun was shining, but effectively pouring petrol on the house, turning the gas on and then the pandemic lit the match."
Pensioner with cancer bankrupt after tax 'dupe' - as MPs regroup to fight 'draconian legislation'By Faye Brown, political reporter
When John left behind his 30-year career in the Royal Navy to work in IT, he did not envision it would leave him bankrupt with his mental health in tatters.
A break in employment, following the death of his youngest son, led him to take up freelance work as a contractor in an arrangement that would see most of his salary paid in the form of tax-free loans.
In emails seen by Sky News, John was assured by his employer that the scheme was "fully kosher", "QC approved" and "compliant with HMRC guidelines".
But that was not the case and the veteran, now in his 70s and fighting prostate cancer, recently declared himself bankrupt over a retrospective tax liability of £130,000.
John, who was "on the brink of taking his life" over the unaffordable bill, shared his story with Sky News as MPs regroup to fight "draconian legislation" known as the "Loan Charge".
What is the Darzi report - and what did it say about the NHS?There will be a great deal of discussion today around Lord Darzi's independent review of the NHS, as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to lay out his plans for reform.
The report, commissioned by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is focused on the NHS - but noted the impact an under-resourced social care sector has on the health service.
Mr Streeting yesterday said the report's findings will inform a 10-year-plan to "radically reform" the NHS, which will be detailed further today.
Here, we explain some of what independent peer Lord Darzi had to say:
By Ashish Joshi, health correspondent
Lord Darzi's damning report coincides with the publication of the NHS monthly performance data.
The figures will reinforce what the former health minister has laid bare in his blistering assessment of the health service - from A&E to children's services, mental health to cancer treatment, his conclusion is that patients are being failed.
It is in this state because the NHS has suffered from consecutive body blows - years of chronic underfunding, a growing population with complex health needs and the impact of the pandemic. This should come as no surprise.
The slow, steady decline of the NHS has been evident for some time. The challenge facing the government is its response.
What does it do now?
Lord Darzi recommends three key areas for urgent action: NHS reform that will see a shift away from hospitals towards primary care and community-based services, tackling the NHS estate, and utilising developing technology to improve patient care.
The government has already said it is going to prioritise the longest waits on the elective register. But should it do that while ignoring the root causes, as outlined in the report?
There is the danger then that targets will continue to be missed in the mid to longer term.
The challenge facing the government is it does not have time to waste or money to spare. It is evident that fixing the NHS will need both.
Lord Darzi says there is no quick fix, and it is likely the prime minister knows already what action must be taken first.
He knows, too, that this report gives him a mandate for transformative and desperately needed change.
Sir Keir Starmer will warn the NHS must "reform or die", as the government publishes an independent investigation into the state of the health service.
The report - ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting days after he took on the role - was carried out by peer and surgeon Lord Darzi.
It will conclude the NHS is in a "critical condition", with record waiting lists and too much of its budget spent in hospitals, as well as saying the nation's health had significantly deteriorated over the past 15 years.
However, Lord Darzi will also say the service's vital signs "remain strong", as the sector is filled with staff who "shared passion and determination to make the NHS better for our patients".
Good morningWelcome back to the Politics Hub.
Sir Keir Starmer will today pledge the "biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth" following the publication of an investigation into the state of the health service.
Ahead of the prime minister's speech this morning, NHS England will publish seven monthly datasets covering its most important areas of care - including A&E and delayed transfers of care.
And the leaders of Stormont will meet Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Downing Street today to discuss funding for Northern Ireland.
We will also see Baroness Theresa May, the former prime minister, be introduced into the House of Lords later this morning.
Joining Sky News this morning are:
Stick with us for all the latest from Westminster.
Thank you for joining us in the Politics Hub for another busy day in Westminster.
Catch up on the events of the day in our evening bulletin here.
We'll be back from 6am with the very latest political news - including a major speech from the prime minister on the future of the NHS in the wake of a major report saying it is in "critical condition" (see previous two posts).
NHS must 'reform or die', warns PM - as report says health service in 'critical condition'By Jennifer Scott, political reporter
Sir Keir Starmer will warn the NHS must "reform or die", as the government publishes an independent investigation into the state of the health service.
The report - ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting days after he took on the role - was carried out by peer and surgeon Lord Darzi.
It will conclude the NHS is in a "critical condition", with record waiting lists and too much of its budget spent in hospitals, as well as saying the nation's health had significantly deteriorated over the past 15 years.
However, Lord Darzi will also say the service's vital signs "remain strong", as the sector is filled with staff who "shared passion and determination to make the NHS better for our patients".
In a speech on Thursday, the prime minister will point to the probe's findings and lay the blame at the Conservatives' door - especially the impact of their 2012 Health and Social Care Act, which the report described as a "calamity" that had "proved disastrous", as well as claims there has been a decade of underinvestment.
But he will offer his own solutions, with a 10-year plan from Labour that promises to have "the fingerprints of NHS staff and patients all over it".
The prime minister will say there is a "profound responsibility" on the government to address the issues, for both health and economic reasons, promising three "big shifts" in its approach:
Sir Keir will warn that what he calls "the biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth" will not be "easy or quick".
But he will add: "What we need is the courage to deliver long-term reform - major surgery not sticking plaster solutions.
"We know working people can't afford to pay more, so it's reform or die."
Read the full story here: