Health leaders warn that Wes Streeting’s repeated claims that “the NHS doesn’t work” risk “scaring” patients and putting them off seeking care.
Experts say they understand why the Health Secretary wants the public to know what a “difficult legacy” Labour has been left with, but fear he has struck the “wrong tone” which is demoralising staff and could cause “lasting damage”.
In recent weeks, the Government has claimed that cancer is a “death sentence” due to the failings of the NHS, while maternity services “bring shame” to the nation.
Mr Streeting hit back at the criticism in his speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool yesterday, insisting he would “not back down”.
Health leaders have warned that Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured at a Labour Party conference in September 2024) is discouraging patients from seeking medical care.
While experts understand that the government wants the public to understand the problems it has inherited, they fear it is using the “wrong tone” (file image)
He said: ‘I know that sometimes the doctor’s diagnosis can be difficult to hear.
‘But if you don’t have an accurate diagnosis, you won’t be able to provide the right prescription.
“And when you put protecting the reputation of the NHS above protecting patients, you’re not helping the NHS, you’re killing it with kindness.
“I will not give up. The National Health System is broken, but not defeated, and together we will turn the situation around.”
He once again blamed the Conservatives for the “dismal” state of the NHS, highlighting record waiting lists, A&E delays and low patient satisfaction.
But he promised his 10-year plan for NHS reform would create a “world-class” service.
One hospital director told the BBC: “We understand the politics of what the Government are doing – they feel they need to establish in the public mind the difficult legacy they have been handed…”
“But there is a growing fear that if this continues for much longer, it could frighten patients and make it very difficult to boost staff morale. Hope is important.”
The National Health Service in England is believed to have expressed concerns about the language used by the Government (file image)
But despite critics saying they have gone too far, describing diseases such as cancer as a “death sentence”, the cabinet minister has said he will not back down at a recent conference.
NHS England is also understood to have informed the Government of its concerns about the message and is monitoring the impact it is having on patients attending check-ups and appointments.
Another hospital official said: “If the Government is not careful, it will cause lasting damage. Yes, we know there are many problems, but there are also many excellent healthcare services that are not recognised. We need to see change – the phrase ‘cancer death sentence’ has the wrong ring to it.”
Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trust chief executives, said it was important to recognise the efforts of staff who are working “flat out”.
Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust think tank, who ran an NHS trust until last year, said: “Language is important. The problem with the phrase ‘broken’ is that people might think something that is broken should be thrown away.”
Benefit claimants told to look for work to reduce bill
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured speaking in New York on September 25) has said that those on long-term sickness benefits should work if they have the ability
The Prime Minister has said that those claiming long-term illness benefits should have to look for work if they are able to do so.
Sir Keir Starmer said support would be in place to help as the Government looks to reduce the ballooning benefits bill.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: ‘I think the basic proposition that you should look for work is correct.
“Obviously there will be difficult cases, but the way I would do it is to say yes, that is the basic proposal, but we also want to support that so that more people can get jobs.”
With 2.8 million people out of work due to ill health, the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts the cost of sickness and disability benefits will rise by £30bn over five years.
