Not for the first time, the NHS is facing a major overhaul under a Labour government. A series of announcements in recent weeks – relating to job cuts and changes at the top of the health service – constitute a complete resetting of healthcare governance in England. But will it work? And can this shake-up fix our broken healthcare system?
One of the biggest reforms relates to NHS England (NHSE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), where a cut of around 50 per cent in central staffing (currently numbering 19,000 workers) is planned. This would represent a headcount reduction far greater in percentage terms than that proposed (and delivered) by Steve Barclay as Health Secretary from 2022-2023.
Streeting’s intention is clear: to show this is a health service ‘under new management’
Addressing this central bureaucracy is necessary if the NHS is to get a grip on a colossal £7 billion deficit. If it fails, the health service is at risk – according to one of Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s adviser’s last week – of ‘collapse’.
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