UK government budget documents or official announcements

Labour Government Launches Largest NHS Consultation to Develop 'Neighbourhood Health Service'

Oct 21, 2024, 04:40 AM

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has launched the largest consultation in NHS history to develop a 10-year plan for reforming the National Health Service in England. The Labour Government aims to transform the NHS into a "neighbourhood health service" by involving patients, staff, and health experts in shaping its future. Key proposals include introducing "patient passports" to hold all medical records accessible across all trusts, with new legislation to facilitate this digital integration. The public and clinicians are urged to share their experiences and ideas in this "national conversation" to help fix the NHS, with Keir Starmer stating, "Let's be the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history and made it fit for the future." While the initiative has been welcomed by some, others, such as Dr. Dean Eggitt, have expressed concerns, calling for immediate action instead of further discussions, saying, "They've had 14 years to have a chat with the public. That conversation should be well and truly over and it should be action time." An NHS funding increase is expected in the upcoming budget.