Latest news with #WesStreeting
Medscape
9 hours ago
- Business
- Medscape
NHS Gets £750m Boost to Fix Crumbling Buildings
The government has allocated £750 million to the NHS in England for tackling long-term maintenance problems. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the money could be used by hospitals, mental health units, and ambulance services to mend leaky pipes, improve ventilation, and solve electrical issues. The investment aims to prevent operations and appointments being cancelled because of crumbling infrastructure. However, healthcare leaders said the cash injection is a 'drop in the ocean' and just a fraction of the estimated £14 billion maintenance backlog across the health service estate. More than £100 million will be put aside for maternity units to replace outdated ventilation systems in neonatal intensive care units and create better environmental conditions for vulnerable babies and their families. Scale of NHS Disrepair Hospital services were disrupted more than 4000 times in 2023-2024 due to poor quality buildings, according to England's Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Streeting highlighted the severity of the problem, noting that burst pipes had flooded emergency departments, faulty electrical systems had shut down operating theatres, and mothers had been forced to give birth in substandard facilities. A recent UNISON survey revealed NHS hospitals were plagued by rats, cockroaches, and sewage leaks. The survey also flagged problems with leaky roofs and out-of-order toilets. Simon Corben, director for NHS estates and facilities at NHS England, said repairs were overdue. 'Fixing the backlog of maintenance at NHS hospitals will help prevent cancellations,' he stated. Earlier this month, the DHSC pledged £102 million this financial year for GP surgeries to upgrade outdated premises. It followed an independent report by Lord Ara Darzi last year which concluded that outdated, inefficient buildings were unfit for purpose, created barriers to delivering high-quality patient care, and reduced productivity. 'Small Downpayment' Welcomed Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, welcomed the latest announcement, particularly noting support for the 'often overlooked' mental health and ambulance sectors. However, he pointed out that 'an eye-watering near £14 billion is needed just to patch up buildings and equipment,' with mental health services alone facing a maintenance backlog exceeding £1 billion. Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said NHS facilities had fallen into a 'dire state of disrepair' that was hampering efforts to reduce waiting lists. "With the NHS maintenance backlog currently standing at £13.8 billion, this really is just a drop in the ocean," he said. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, described the spending boost as a 'small down payment' on the maintenance backlog. 'At £750 million a year, it would take almost 20 years to clear the backlog, assuming it does not continue to grow,' he warned. Healthcare leaders called for new investment models, including private sector involvement, to address the funding shortfall more rapidly. Projects are due to be delivered during the 2025-2026 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin this summer, the DHSC said.
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The Independent
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘Why are they striking? Because they can': Readers frustrated by threat of further NHS industrial action
Strikes by NHS doctors are once again making headlines and dividing opinion across the country. As junior doctors vote on whether to take more industrial action, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged them to say no, warning that more strikes will only hurt patients and stall progress. Doctors say they've had enough of being underpaid and undervalued, with some calling for a near 30 per cent pay rise to make up for years of real-terms cuts. But public support is slipping, and some patients are losing patience. In a poll of Independent readers, two-thirds of respondents said they felt strikes would hurt patients and should not go ahead. Bigger questions also lurk behind the pay dispute: is the NHS properly funded? Is immigration helping or hurting the system? And how do we train and keep enough staff without burning them out or driving them abroad? When we asked for your views, some readers blamed poor management, others pointed to staff shortages and rising demand. But one thing was clear: the NHS is at breaking point, and something has to give. Here's what you had to say: User changes We need some user charges for health care. This is to encourage people to look after their health. Despite more money being poured into the NHS than ever before, the number of people needing treatment continues to rise even faster. User charges would also enable doctors to be paid properly and prevent them from leaving for other countries. Mark A career, not a vocation When becoming a doctor became a career rather than a vocation, it seems to have become both in thrall to Big Pharma and motivated by greed rather than concern for patient or societal well-being — something else unwanted, imported from the USA. Topsham1 Rising demand means rising contributions If we went back to the NHS of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, etc., we could probably reduce funding considerably. However, what the NHS does and the numbers it does it for consistently rises. If we really want it to meet the need comprehensively, we'll need to increase contributions. To keep up with rising costs and modern treatments, this seems inevitable. We seem to accept rising costs in most areas of life, but think we can run the NHS on less. Go figure. Strangely Enough Striking while patients suffer is wrong I think it is morally wrong to take industrial action that will knowingly harm patients. The dispute is not with them. Strikes are to put pressure on the employer, in this case the government, to up their offer. But if inadequate pay is causing retention problems, then the pressure is already there. EarthFirst Top-heavy If you get rid of the thousands of administrators/managers on £100,000+ salaries, you can afford a pay rise for doctors and nurses. The NHS is way too top-heavy. VonGenschler A good carpenter can out-earn most doctors I've spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals in recent times and have had excellent treatment overall. It would be good if our NHS staff were the world's highest paid, but that can't happen because hospitals are oversubscribed with the growing number of people, many of whom are not entitled by birth to do so. Doctors and other staff are also not necessarily native in any way, but I, for one, am glad they're here. Today, a good carpenter can out-earn most doctors up to registrar level, which must be galling for those with higher education and ambition. As an older person, I use the NHS more frequently. Sometimes I'm aware that me living means someone might not get that important appointment. Another thing is free prescriptions – I receive twelve items more or less each month. Again, I wonder how on earth I could pay the cost that others have to pay. My prescriptions are delivered free as well. I don't know how this is financed, but someone does. I suppose, one day, they will carry out the most enormous cull to balance things up a little. I wouldn't blame them – maybe they're already planning it. Martyn GPs failings GPs bear a great chunk of the NHS failings that are occurring today. My recollection of GP services concerns the home birth of our second child. There were no complications – in fact, labour only lasted for three hours – but our GP at the time came to the house during the labour and returned three days after the birth to check that the baby and mother were in good fettle, which they were. Do GPs give that sort of service today? Cameron promised 24/7 GP service, but that went unfulfilled. A battle needs to take place, with GPs becoming employees of the NHS and being paid a good rate for the job. Present partnerships must be put to the sword. MORDEY Greed As I am in my 80s, I am lucky enough to remember when being a doctor was a vocation, not just another job. Sadly, those days are gone. It appears that greed is now what motivates our young doctors. Why are they striking? Because they can. Do they care that people may die because of their actions? No. Paqs 'Wealthfare' state vs NHS spending How come we never have these "debates" when we spend on the "wealthfare" state (aka socialism for the rich), but must always have them whenever it's time to spend on anything else? I ask because even Big Oil and Big Pharma, the arms industry, etc., apparently need subsidies, tax relief, grants and sundry other largesse, while overworked NHS workers must live on food banks, or have their relative peanuts "debated." — Ryhope1 UK failed to retain its own medics The NHS has been subsidised by the developing world, who train its doctors and nurses since its inception. It is incapable of recruiting and retaining UK staff like me, who went to Australia as soon as I completed my training. Kwame The conversation isn't over. To join in, all you need to do is register your details, then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking 'log in' on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
New world-first blood test to transform cancer treatment
The NHS in England is rolling out a new blood test (liquid biopsy) for lung cancer patients to speed up access to targeted treatments and avoid unnecessary biopsies, benefiting approximately 15,000 patients annually. The liquid biopsy detects tumour DNA mutations from a blood sample, allowing for faster access to therapies tailored to the genetic profile of the disease; a pilot scheme showed treatment decisions were made 16 days faster compared to tissue biopsies. The NHS will also use the test for breast cancer patients to check for a wider range of genetic variants, potentially benefiting 5,000 women a year, and is exploring its use for other cancers like pancreatic and gallbladder cancer. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, hailed liquid biopsies as ushering in a new era of personalised cancer care, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new testing will "give thousands of people peace of mind". Rebeca Proctor, a stage 4 lung cancer patient, benefited from the liquid biopsy by receiving targeted treatment (brigatinib) after it revealed an ALK genetic mutation, giving her "her life back".
Leader Live
a day ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Children and patients deserve to be safe in schools and hospitals
Around £1.2 billion – part of funding packages announced in last year's autumn budget – will be spent on repairing crumbling schools and hospitals across the country, the Government confirmed. Pupils at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of this year's £470 million Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), used for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing asbestos. More than 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750 million to tackle problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues. Projects to deliver improvements to schools and hospital buildings will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades to begin this summer, the Government has said. More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges across England were forced to shut down days before the autumn term in 2023 amid concerns that classrooms and other buildings containing reinforced autoclaved concrete (Raac) were unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough. 'Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. It's what children deserve and it is what we are delivering. 'This investment is about more than just buildings – it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this Government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity. 'We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation. 'Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.' A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in January estimated it would cost around £13.8 billion to address the repairs and remedial work backlog for hospitals and other NHS properties in England, and an additional £13.8 billion to address the maintenance backlog across the school estate. The Department for Education has confirmed a £2.1 billion investment for the school estate for 2025/26, almost £300 million more than the previous year. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, described the funding boost for school buildings as a 'welcome start'. But he added: 'It is clear that much more Government investment and a long-term plan is needed to restore the school estate to at least a satisfactory condition.' Julia Harnden, funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'The wider problem is that there is a massive £13.8 billion maintenance backlog across the school estate and we are still nowhere near the level of investment needed to address this. 'The fact that schools and sixth form colleges have to bid for funding for urgent repairs and maintenance is in itself a sign of the inadequacy of overall investment and is effectively an annual exercise in papering over the cracks.'
