800,000 kids on ‘damaged’ NHS ready lists
More than 800,000 children are stuck on lengthy NHS hospital waiting lists, it was revealed today as the Prime Minister says the health service has been left ‘broken’ in an ‘unforgivable’ way.
The Prime Minister made the claim in an interview today ahead of the publication of a review into how youngsters are treated.
A review by eminent surgeon and independent peer Lord Darzi due to be published on Thursday is expected to highlight how children are being let down by the health service.
It is expected to show that 175,000 children are waiting between six months and a year for treatment and 35,000 more than a year, the Sunday Times reported.
Additionally, it will show 100,000 infants waited more than six hours to be seen in accident and emergency departments last year, with waiting times for the under-twos rising 60 per cent in the past 15 years.
It is also likely to pinpoint falling vaccination rates, and rises in ADHD medication and in eating disorder-related hospital admissions for children.
In the interview broadcast on Sunday morning on BBC One, Sir Keir said: ‘Everybody watching this who has used the NHS, or relatives have, know that it’s broken, they know that it’s broken, that is unforgivable, the state of our NHS.’
In the interview due to be broadcast on Sunday morning on BBC One, Sir Keir will say: ‘Everybody watching this who has used the NHS, or relatives have, know that it’s broken, they know that it’s broken, that is unforgivable, the state of our NHS.’
The Prime Minister made the claim in an interview today ahead of the publication of a review into how youngsters are treated.
A review by eminent surgeon and independent peer Lord Darzi due to be published on Thursday is expected to highlight how children are being let down by the health service.
The Prime Minister claimed the health service’s problems stem from ‘the money that was taken out of the NHS, particularly in the early years of the coalition from 2010 onwards, the (Andrew) Lansley reforms, which were hopelessly misconceived. And then, of course, Covid on top of all that, which has put us in this awful position for the NHS’.
Sir Keir also pinned the blame of NHS failings on the previous government, as he has done with the UK’s economic situation.
The Prime Minister added: ‘Our job now through Lord Darzi is properly understand how that came about and bring about the reforms, starting with the first steps, the 40,000 extra appointments.
‘But we’ve got to do the hard yards of reform as well. And as I say, I think it’s only a Labour Government that can do the reform that our NHS needs, and we’ll start on that journey.’
Shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins accused Labour of using Lord Darzi’s health review as ‘cover’ to raise taxes in the upcoming Budget.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Atkins said: ‘I was clear as secretary of state that to build an NHS for the next 75 years, we have to marry reform with investment, and I tried to do that through the productivity plans, bringing tech to the frontline of NHS services, which I hear that Labour is cancelling.
‘What worries me is what we’ve seen so far from the Health Secretary, the only thing he’s done is to give junior doctors a pay rise with no productivity reform.’
Put to her by presenter Trevor Phillips that the previous Conservative government broke the NHS, Ms Atkins said she welcomed discussion about future-proofing the NHS but insisted Labour were ‘choosing the headlines they pick’ from Lord Darzi’s review and had ignored the health situation in Wales, which is ‘far, far worse’.
She added: ‘This report, I fear, is cover for the Labour Party to raise our taxes in the budget in October, and they are laying the groundwork for this.
‘They weren’t straight with us about winter fuel payments, they’re not being straight with us about taxes, and we need to have a grown-up conversation about the NHS, but this is not the way to go about it.’
The Observer newspaper has reported the Conservatives are preparing to criticise Lord Darzi’s review for looking back at their tenure in government rather than moving forward, as he formerly sat as a Labour peer before resigning from the party in 2019.
But it says ministers are expected to point to Lord Darzi’s medical expertise in defence of the report, which is expected to provide a watershed moment for NHS reform.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: ‘Whether it’s the youngest or oldest in society, patient care is not at the standard it should be. And nursing staff feel professionally compromised.
‘School nurse levels were slashed by the last government and that has had direct consequences on children’s health. Today’s children and adolescents, without early years or mental health support, pay a price similar to the most vulnerable adults without care packages.
‘This week’s report must begin to provide answers and health and care professionals will look closely at where ministers see their role. A chronically understaffed NHS will remain a broken NHS.’
