Response to Prime Minister speech

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke of ‘an NHS facing the future’ in a speech today (24 September) to Labour Party conference.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“Pressure is non-stop on hospital, community health, mental health and ambulance services.

“NHS trusts are working at full stretch now to see patients as quickly as possible, after their busiest ever summer and another tough winter ahead.

“Lord Darzi’s report for the government about the NHS recognises the importance of capital investment to improve productivity. We need a thriving workforce too and an end to severe staff shortages.

“Cutting waiting lists, improving safety and the quality of patient care requires substantially more national investment in NHS buildings, equipment and technology - including tackling the £11bilion-plus and growing backlog of essential repairs to old, creaking facilities.

“Politicians of all parties must get behind the ‘next generation’ NHS to make it fit for the future, enabling it to play its part in national economic growth and addressing the many factors affecting people’s health.”