Wes Streeting Accuses The Health Service Of Waste And Inefficiency

Shadow health secretary's plan to fix NHS workforce crisis

Wes Streeting accuses the health service of waste and inefficiency

In an exclusive BMJ interview, the shadow health secretary outlines how he will tackle the NHS workforce crisis if given the chance, including his take on junior doctors' industrial action.

I won't shirk using private sector to cut waiting lists, says Labour's shadow health secretary

Wes Streeting has said the NHS is "the worst of all worlds" and accused the health service of waste and inefficiency. Speaking on a visit to Singapore, he said he would not shirk from using private providers to reduce NHS waiting lists. He also said he would bring in a new system of "NHS Plus", which would allow patients to pay for faster access to care.

Streeting's comments come as the NHS faces a growing workforce crisis, with tens of thousands of vacancies across the service. The Royal College of Nursing is currently balloting its members on industrial action over pay, and junior doctors have already voted in favour of strikes.

Streeting said that the NHS needs to "get its house in order" and become more efficient. He said that he would look at using technology to improve productivity and reduce bureaucracy.

However, he also said that he would not hesitate to use the private sector to help reduce waiting lists. He said that this could include using private hospitals to provide elective surgery and diagnostic tests.

Streeting's comments have been welcomed by some, but others have expressed concern that they could lead to a two-tier health system.