NHS Confederation responds to Wes Streeting's speech at NHS ConfedExpo 2023

Responding to the Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting's speech at NHS ConfedExpo 2023, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“The Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary is right to focus on the positive potential of the NHS, while recognising the immediate difficulties it is experiencing.

“It is true that constant firefighting and instability helps no one and is ultimately a hinderance to the delivery of quality patient care. It’s true that workforce shortages continue to be a key issue and that much of the NHS’s technology and estate is dated. It’s true that the NHS is still not where it wants to or needs to be, despite significant progress in the past couple of years and the efforts of leaders. But leaders know this and want to do more.

“There are many opportunities ahead to improve but this will require political will and vision. For a start we need to bring an end to ongoing industrial action and get moving in the implementation of the long-awaited workforce plan.

“Moving more care into the community, empowering patients with technology to receive healthcare at home – something we know that there is huge appetite for – and greater use of AI and the NHS app, are all part of a sensible portfolio of measures, which leaders would be pleased to see implemented.

"NHS leaders will particularly welcome the Shadow Secretary of State’s commitment to addressing the years of under investment that we have had in capital, including in IT. Successive governments have promised this but not delivered, so NHS leaders will want to see this welcome ambition become reality. This holds the key to unlocking the productivity gains we want to see in the NHS.

“Whoever is in government over the next decade must develop a strategy for health, that embraces innovative, transformative solutions and strive to deliver them alongside increased investment in both health and social care."