The NHS Alliance responds to Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP speech at Labour Party Conference

Responding to the speech by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, the secretary of state for health and social care, at the Labour Party Conference, Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, said:

“Health leaders and their staff recognise the very real and longstanding concerns that have built up around NHS maternity services and are committed to providing safe and high-quality care for all women, babies and families across the country.

“The appointment of a maternity and neonatal commissioner and a new national action plan should help to provide clarity and focus to drive progress, and ensure women are heard.

“We welcome the return of the Sure Start government programme through family hubs to support young children. Prevention, early intervention and joined-up support are essential if we are to give every child the best start in life and build a more sustainable health and care system.

“It is right that fixing the social care crisis, patient safety and prevention should be at the heart of the NHS’s future. We look forward to working with the government to help it deliver these aspirations.”