Darzi review to show NHS is ‘broken but not beaten’
The prime minister has branded the current state of the NHS “unforgiveable” ahead of the publication of a much-anticipated review into the state of the health service.
Sir Keir Starmer argued yesterday that the previous government had “broken the NHS” but that the current Labour government would introduce reforms to put it on the path to recovery.
“This week’s report must begin to provide answers”
Nicola Ranger
It comes as a full and independent investigation into the state of the NHS is due to be published this Thursday.
The review, being led by surgeon and former Labour health minister, Lord Ara Darzi, is set to uncover the extent of the issues facing the health service.
It has scrutinised patient access to care, the quality of care provided and the overall performance of the NHS.
Speaking on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Sir Keir described the current state of the NHS as “unforgiveable”.
Despite this, he said Lord Darzi’s review had been “really clear that the NHS is broken but not beaten”.
He said: “I promised we’d get the NHS on its feet again, but I also promised I’d make it fit for the future.
“And [the Darzi review] is the diagnosis, if you like, [and] the platform that allows us to properly understand the state of the NHS and why it’s in that place.”
One of the findings of the upcoming review will be that the NHS is in crisis because of the amount of money that was taken out of it, especially by the coalition government in 2010, noted Sir Keir.
He added that the review had also found that controversial reforms introduced in 2012 by then Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley, which restructured much of the health service, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, had put the NHS in an “awful position”.
Sir Keir said: “If there’s one thing this country knows, it’s [that] the last government broke the NHS.
“Our job now, through Lord Darzi, is to properly understand how that came about and bring about the reforms.”
The government previously said the review’s findings would provide the basis for its 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) last month submitted written evidence to the review, calling for a variety of reforms relating to nursing.
One central demand was for the implementation of legally enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios in England, as well as proper legal protection for healthcare workers who raise concerns about unsafe staffing levels.
Responding to the remarks by Sir Keir, RCN general secretary and chief executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: “Whether it’s the youngest or oldest in society, patient care is not at the standard it should be, and nursing staff feel professionally compromised.”
Professor Ranger noted that school nurse levels, for example, were “slashed by the last government” and warned that it had direct consequences on children’s health.
Nicola Ranger
“Today’s children and adolescents, without early years or mental health support, pay a price similar to the most vulnerable adults without care packages,” she added.
“This week’s report must begin to provide answers and health and care professionals will look closely at where ministers see their role.
“A chronically understaffed NHS will remain a broken NHS.”
Meanwhile, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Sir Julian Hartley, said: “The prime minister’s comments echo what trust leaders have been telling us – the shockwaves of the longest and deepest squeeze in NHS financial history, a growing mismatch between capacity and demand, major workforce challenges and the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are still being felt throughout the health service.”
It comes as a new NHS Providers survey, published yesterday, laid bare the financial pressures facing the NHS ahead of Lord Darzi’s review.
The survey of trust leaders found that over half (51%) were extremely concerned about delivering operational priorities within their organisation’s 2024-25 financial budget.
Julian Hartley
Sir Julian said: “Budgets and services are stretched to the limit in the face of mounting demand and pressure. It’s never felt tougher.”
He added: “We need to recognise the value of investment in the NHS – its impact as a catalyst for economic growth, employment and research, and the importance of funding infrastructure, digital and other technology to drive productivity.
“We need to see a more strategic, long-term mindset that maps out a route to a sustainable, high quality, high value NHS.”
