Wes Streeting says he will reject all ‘status quo’ proposals
Wes Streeting has warned NHS England and departmental officials he will reject any proposals “that suggest sticking with the status quo, or bids for more money without reform”.
The health and social care secretary was speaking alongside NHSE chief executive Amanda Pritchard at a joint briefing of NHSE and Department of Health and Social Care staff on 16.9.24.
They both spoke about last week’s Darzi review findings and Mr Streeting said: “I want this report taken as gospel. Our response must be: to take it on the chin, pull up our sleeves, and begin the hard work of reform.”
It would be “major surgery, not sticking plasters”, he said, and told officials he wanted “bold, radical reform proposals”, warning he would “reject anything that suggests sticking with the status quo, or bids for more money without reform”.
Ms Pritchard told teams at the all-staff meeting that she welcomed the tough reform message, stating: “We’ve heard loud and clear from the prime minister about what he said matters, and what he says is there will be no investment without reform. Far from daunting, we welcome that because the NHS has never stood still.”
The pair held an all-staff meeting across DHSC and NHSE staff shortly after the general election, when Mr Streeting said they must “work as one team”. As well as trying to improve working relationships (which are thought to be poor between DHSC and NSHE), ministers and the department (DHSC) are now taking much closer involvement in setting NHS policy.
What all of this means in terms of the day-to-day running of the NHS is unclear. Time will tell.
More information about this meeting in the HSJ by Dave West here.
